UFC FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION Demetrious Johnson has hit out at the organisation for ‘mistreatment and bullying’ and claims he is not receiving the promotion that he deserves.
AP / PA Images
AP / PA Images / PA Images
Johnson, who is currently ranked the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC, released a statement to MMA Fighting claiming that he has been ‘a company man’ for years and kept quiet but insists he now has to speak out.
At the heart of the dispute is the fact that he has rejected a potential title fight this summer against bantamweight contender TJ Dillashaw.
The 30-year-old has outlined several reasons for his opposition to the fight including his belief that Dillashaw is unlikely to make weight and that there will be no financial gain for him from such a fight.
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Speaking to Ariel Helawni on The MMA Hour, he revealed the UFC’s threat to fold the flyweight division if he did not fight Dillashaw.
Earlier Johnson had outlined his reasons for adopting this stance.
“Unfortunately, UFC’s mistreatment and bullying has finally forced me to speak out. I’ve decided to speak out now as I feel like my values and character as a person and a fighter are being tarnished.
“If it takes me speaking up and encouraging other fighters to band together to start getting fair treatment, then so be it.
“UFC has failed to market and promote me appropriately. In addition, I want to address the lack of marketing and promotion of the flyweight division, even though Dana will claim otherwise. I would challenge that the UFC doesn’t even market the division.
“With me, the UFC chooses not to market the best fighter in the world and arguably the greatest fighter of all time.
“I can’t think of any other sports organization in the world that has the best player in the sport where the league, or the organization, doesn’t market that player to their loyal fan base to sell more of their product.
“Look at my track record for showing up to fights. Look at my track record of finishing fights. Look at my track record of getting fight night bonuses.
“Ask yourself if you think that if the UFC decided to truly put marketing dollars behind me that they couldn’t sell me or my fights.”
Johnson also slammed the UFC for their ‘tyrannical demand’ for him to fight Ray Borg and accused them of refusing to grant him pay-per-view points on any future flyweight bouts.
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UFC's number one fighter hits out at 'mistreatment and bullying' from the organisation
UFC FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION Demetrious Johnson has hit out at the organisation for ‘mistreatment and bullying’ and claims he is not receiving the promotion that he deserves.
Johnson, who is currently ranked the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC, released a statement to MMA Fighting claiming that he has been ‘a company man’ for years and kept quiet but insists he now has to speak out.
At the heart of the dispute is the fact that he has rejected a potential title fight this summer against bantamweight contender TJ Dillashaw.
The 30-year-old has outlined several reasons for his opposition to the fight including his belief that Dillashaw is unlikely to make weight and that there will be no financial gain for him from such a fight.
Speaking to Ariel Helawni on The MMA Hour, he revealed the UFC’s threat to fold the flyweight division if he did not fight Dillashaw.
Earlier Johnson had outlined his reasons for adopting this stance.
“Unfortunately, UFC’s mistreatment and bullying has finally forced me to speak out. I’ve decided to speak out now as I feel like my values and character as a person and a fighter are being tarnished.
“If it takes me speaking up and encouraging other fighters to band together to start getting fair treatment, then so be it.
“UFC has failed to market and promote me appropriately. In addition, I want to address the lack of marketing and promotion of the flyweight division, even though Dana will claim otherwise. I would challenge that the UFC doesn’t even market the division.
“With me, the UFC chooses not to market the best fighter in the world and arguably the greatest fighter of all time.
“I can’t think of any other sports organization in the world that has the best player in the sport where the league, or the organization, doesn’t market that player to their loyal fan base to sell more of their product.
“Look at my track record for showing up to fights. Look at my track record of finishing fights. Look at my track record of getting fight night bonuses.
“Ask yourself if you think that if the UFC decided to truly put marketing dollars behind me that they couldn’t sell me or my fights.”
Johnson also slammed the UFC for their ‘tyrannical demand’ for him to fight Ray Borg and accused them of refusing to grant him pay-per-view points on any future flyweight bouts.
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