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Dana White says Johnson-Dillashaw super fight 'not happening'

Ron Chenoy / USA TODAY Sports

UFC president Dana White says the rumored champion versus champion fight between flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson and bantamweight titleholder T.J. Dillashaw is "not happening," according to Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times.

Johnson had said in early February that he and Dillashaw were negotiating the bout to be scheduled for the UFC 226 card in July, which is already headlined by a champion versus champion fight between Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic.

White texted Pugmire on Thursday to deny that the fight was in the works, claiming the bout "was never made." White also added that the UFC is working on an alternate title defense for Dillashaw.

The bantamweight champion won his belt last November, knocking out Cody Garbrandt in the second round. Dillashaw, a two-time champion at 135 pounds, declined a short-notice rematch with Garbrandt for UFC 222 after featherweight champ Max Holloway withdrew from the main event with an injury.

Johnson has been struggling to find worthy challengers at flyweight, going unbeaten in his last 14 fights while setting the record for most consecutive UFC title defenses at 11. The 31-year-old has not fought since last October and is currently recovering from a shoulder injury.

- with h/t to MMA Fighting

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