Did Demetrious Johnson Replace Jon Jones as the Best Pound for Pound MMA Fighter?

By JM “Shade” Daguio

UFC 197 was a great event, despite the fact that Daniel Cormier was not able to fight Jon Jones, the event itself turn out to be quite good and raised the stock of the winning fighters.

UFC 197 was also the measuring stick for two guys at the top of the sport but on different weight classes, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, the flyweight champion defeated Henry Cejudo in the co-main event while Jon Jones defeated Ovince St. Preux for the interim light heavyweight title.

Both fighters are the consensus top pound for pound fighter depending on who you ask, Jon Jones had been dominant for so long and with a long layoff it’s easy to forget his reign, however his fight versus St. Preux showed his greatness but also a significant amount of ring rust. Jones was slow, had difficulty getting his rhythm and looked a tiny bit tired though he soundly outclassed St. Preux. Had Cormier fought Jones with the kind of lackluster performance he displayed may have cost him a loss versus Cormier, however Jones was lucky enough to get a tune up fight before he actually faces Cormier to unite the belts.

On the flyweight side though, Demetrious Johnson showed the world that the title “pound for pound best” may be leaning towards him now. Johnson showed excellent technique versus Wrestling olympic gold medalis Henry Cejudo and made the fight short for Cejudo.

Johnson was taken down by Cejudo which elicited awe from commentators Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg by the way Cejudo just muscled Johnson into the ground, however it was a brief encounter, because Johnson expertly push-kicked Cejudo and went back to his feet where Cejudo’s trouble started.

Johnson approach Cejudo with a clinch and drilled Cejudo with knees to the body, while Cejudo was defending the attacks to his body, Johnson shot an elbow to the head which confused Cejudo more, Johnson continued with his knee attacks to the body which clearly hurt Cejudo, one more final knee put Cejudo down which ended the fight for good, Johnson remains the one and only UFC flyweight champion.

“Mighty Mouse” is now tied with Jon Jones with most consecutive title defenses with eight (8), two more successful title defenses would tie Johnson with brazilian great Anderson Silva.

Comparatively speaking, Johnson had the better night compared to Jones and he showed he was more technically sound fighter and finisher, he has cleaned his division and may still continue to do so as he reaches for the Silva’s UFC record. For now, Johnson is the pound for pound king and though Jon Jones isn’t too far behind, he may need an impressive win versus Daniel Cormier to even be on equal footing as Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.

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