Demetrious Johnson comments on UFC 227 loss, addresses possible rematch with Henry Cejudo
Last night, Demetrious Johnson’s record-breaking reign as UFC flyweight champion came to an end, as he lost a hotly debated split decision to former Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo.
Post-fight, Johnson attended a brief press conference to address the media.
Apparently, the former flyweight champion and bona fide MMA great sustained some pretty serious injuries in his bout with Cejudo — namely a torn LCL and a busted foot.
“I remember we were scrambling, and I maybe shot, and then he kind of pushed me over, and I rolled over my right knee, and I felt the pop, and I was like, ‘There goes the right LCL – fantastic,” Johnson said (via MMAJunkie). “And the foot was just from kicking and kicking and kicking.”
Injured or otherwise, Johnson still managed to put forth a solid effort — and win in the eyes of many fans. While he feels he did enough to get the win, he doesn’t seem too hung up on it.
“The stand-up numbers, I think I out-struck him,” Johnson said. “But it happens. I don’t think the judges know how to score leg kicks.”
While Johnson clearly is taking his first flyweight championship loss well, he is interested in a rematch. He does, after all, own a first-round knockout win over Cejudo. The priority, for now, however, is healing up.
“It wasn’t like he blew me out of the water,” Johnson said. “First thing’s first. I’m not going to be like, ‘Ah, I want a rematch.’ I need to get healthy first. My health is No. 1, and I’m not going to sign a contract if I can’t get through eight weeks of training camp.”
However the next few months shake out, Johnson assures his time as king is not over yet.
“It was a great streak, and it’s not over yet,” Johnson said.
What do you think the future holds for Demetrious Johnson after UFC 227?
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 8/5/2018.
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Demetrious Johnson