Skip to content

Report: Dillashaw halts plans to make 125-lb cut to fight Johnson

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY

A superfight between flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson and former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is on hold for the time being.

Dillashaw has put a pause on his plans to cut down to 125 pounds to challenge for Johnson's belt in August, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto, citing multiple sources.

Despite never being officially announced, the potential fight became the subject of wide speculation when Dillashaw proposed the bout after a previous clash with current 135-lb titleholder Cody Garbrandt at UFC 213 was canceled due to a Garbrandt injury.

UFC president Dana White was amenable to the idea and it sounded like the gears were in motion for it to occur at a card in August that was rumored to be taking place in Seattle, which is close to where Johnson lives.

However, Johnson insisted that he had already agreed to fight flyweight contender Ray Borg. That led to a war of words between Johnson and White over the UFC's treatment of the flyweight champ, which could subside now that Dillashaw is out of the picture.

Dillashaw had never fought lighter than 135 pounds and it appears that he's made the decision to wait for Garbrandt rather than force himself to endure a brutal weight cut.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox