Despite dominance Mighty Mouse’s fan base remains inadequate

Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson will defend his UFC Flyweight title for the seventh time at UFC 191 against John Dodson on September 5th. Johnson’s credentials as a fighter and his appeal to fans is a somewhat odd contradiction; the unusual disparity between himself and other current champions of different weight classes does not add up, with the exception of Jose Aldo, who also cannot quite obtain the high level of support that his capabilities at Featherweight warrant.

DJ, at number three on the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings list, can legitimately claim to be one of the best fighters within the organisation, which should merit high viewing figures for his bouts. However, somehow his modest height of 5ft 3in depletes his appeal and attraction to fans of MMA who clearly prefer the heavier weight classes.

The ability to continue to defend the championship belt is paramount to the success and preeminence of a combatant’s career. Winning the belt once may be fortuitous, but twice exhibits supremacy; defending and resisting attacks on one’s crown manifests in the legitimacy and validity of the victors prowess. Johnson has done this on multiple occasions, whilst dismantling the entire Flyweight division in the process.

On September 5th Dodson will stand in the way of Johnson’s title defence for the second time, and the fight will commence without the mass hysteria of a McGregor or Rousey bout. Nevertheless, ‘Mighty Mouse’ will present his vast amount of technical ability to whoever watches, with this being a fighter who deserves great amounts of respect as one of the UFC’s very best.

Maybe a “superfight” with Dillashaw or Cruz is the only way Johnson will gain widespread acclaim.