Johnson: We're negotiating Dillashaw bout for UFC 226
The wheels are finally in motion for a long-discussed champion vs. champion bout.
UFC flyweight king Demetrious Johnson announced negotiations for a co-headlining date with bantamweight titleholder TJ Dillashaw at UFC 226 have begun during a weekend Twitch stream.
"We’re in negotiations (to co-headline UFC 226)," Johnson said. "Once my main man gets in here I’ll have him update all of the commands, that way when people come in here and ask about T.J. Dillashaw and Demetrious Johnson fighting each other, you guys know negotiations have begun. They have begun."
The revelation comes shortly after Dillashaw turned down a short-notice rematch with Cody Garbrandt - whom he dethroned at UFC 217 - that would have salvaged next month's UFC 222, with Max Holloway pulling out of the main event vs. Frankie Edgar due to a leg injury. The 31-year-old Dillashaw reiterated his designs on challenging Johnson when dismissing the Garbrandt rematch, and it appears the UFC has seconded his stance.
Johnson - who'd campaigned for a spot on UFC 226 - most recently secured a promotional-record 11th straight title defense with a fifth-round submission of Ray Borg at UFC 216 in October.
UFC 226 is scheduled for July 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and features another clash of champions in heavyweight king Stipe Miocic and light heavyweight titleholder Daniel Cormier in the main event.
- With h/t to MMA Fighting