Demetrious Johnson, a former UFC flyweight champion, recently criticized the UFC’s decision to have flyweight-led pay-per-view (PPV) events.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Johnson expressed frustration with the UFC’s approach, emphasizing that while he headlined multiple PPVs during his six-year championship reign, flyweights typically don’t generate enough buzz to warrant main event status. He suggested that flyweights should instead be featured as co-main events in larger, more marketable fights.
The criticism comes in light of UFC 301’s main event, which featured flyweights. Johnson noted the absence of a pre-fight press conference for UFC 301, contrasting it with the extensive promotional efforts for other PPV events, such as UFC 300, which included a pre-fight press conference involving the entire card.
Johnson’s remarks reflect his belief that flyweights often lack the promotional backing and mainstream appeal necessary to headline major events.
Despite his concerns about the UFC’s treatment of flyweights, Johnson has been exploring new avenues since retiring from MMA. He has gained attention for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu performances and has hinted at a potential venture into boxing.
Johnson’s willingness to pursue alternative opportunities underscores his belief that the current landscape of MMA, particularly regarding the treatment of flyweights, may not align with his career aspirations.
Johnson highlighted recent instances where flyweight title fights were positioned as co-main events rather than main events. For example, Deiveson Figueiredo’s title defense against Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 was featured in the co-headlining slot.
Johnson sees these placements as more appropriate for the flyweight division, allowing it to benefit from the exposure to larger events while not being burdened with the expectation of carrying a PPV card.
While Johnson remains invested in the flyweight division, he maintains that UFC flyweights are not ideally suited for main event spots on PPV cards. His comments reflect a broader conversation within the MMA community about the promotion and visibility of lighter-weight classes, suggesting that there may be a need for a reevaluation of how these divisions are marketed and positioned within the sport.
