Demetrious Johnson became the first ever UFC flyweight champion this past Saturday night in Toronto when he defeated Joseph Benavidez by split decision.
After the title fight, UFC President Dana White stated at the post fight press conference that Johnson’s first title defense will come against the winner of the UFC on FX 5 fight between John Dodson and Jussier Formiga.
Dodson (13-5) won “The Ultimate Fighter” during season 14 as a bantamweight and dropped down to the flyweight division after winning the reality show.
His UFC flyweight debut came at UFC on FOX 3 against Tim Elliot and won the fight by unanimous decision.
Formiga (14-1) was seen as one of the top flyweight fighters in the world before recently being signed by the UFC.
He is the former Shooto South American 123 pound champion and his only professional lost came against Ian McCall by decision, which took place in Tachi Palace Fights.
During last night’s “UFC Tonight,” Johnson was asked about the upcoming flyweight fight between Dodson and Formiga, which takes place next week in Minnesota.
“Formiga has a very legit ground game and he has been working on his hands,” Johnson said. “John Dodson is pretty fast and has a lot of speed like I do. He is a great southpaw and he has finished some guys in his time. It will be interesting to see who wins that fight.”