It seems Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson reluctantly plays the UFC's version of Rodney Dangerfield. He gets no respect. Since his loss to then champion Dominick Cruz at 135 pounds, Mighty Mouse dropped to flyweight and cleaned out a (not his fault) weak division. Unbeaten for 8 fights (including 1 draw against Ian McCall) he has no star power to fare against. Critics said well he only wins by decision. So he finished 3 of his last 4 foes. The UFC's biggest problem with him is finding not only suitable challengers, but also challengers the fans want to see Mighty Mouse against. Kyoji Horiguchi is certainly talented, if untested, enough to fight for the flyweight belt.The problem is no one can say his name and no one cares.
Demetrious Johnson (-900) should not be blamed for either his talent or lack of talent in his division. His speed, technique, discipline, and physical talent are perfect for the flyweight division. He arrived a step ahead. Prepared and ready. Spending years at higher weight classes against fighters not as talented but bigger and stronger. Now, on even ground he runs circles around them. Literally. Mighty Mouse's biggest asset is the ability to dictate how, when and where the fight takes place. This is not a simple matter of he can stay standing or get the takedown. No sir. This is high level only the little guy can do it Octagon control. He has lateral movement, can dart in and out, strike from far away or close by. Try and take him down. If he stays still for more than a millisecond. Since his move to flyweight all I have seen Johnson do is use the absolute best footwork and movement in the fight business to frustrate and beat every opponent. Can he finish? He may not push it or force mistakes but if he hurts his opponent? He'll either be out cold or in some submission in a matter of half seconds. And Mighty Mouse making a mistake? Sure. Hold your breath on that. Be the blue guy in the corner waiting on that.
Kyoji Horiguchi (600) is 15 - 1, 4 and 0 in the UFC. Japanese. Quick. With power. Unpredictable, like every Japanese fighter. To say he is undeserving of the title shot is an insult to him and his achievements. Japanese fighters have yet to hold UFC gold. Don't let that fool you into thinking Horiguchi is subpar. No one is 15 - 1 and on a 9 fight win streak without some sort of talent, drive and grit. American fans will say, "well who has he beat?" Come on, how many flyweights could we name? We really don't know the quality of his opponents. But he's beat all but one. His last showing against Louis Gaudinot didn't answer many questions. Gaudinot is on a losing streak himself. He's also the only man to finish John Lineker in the UFC, Dana White's chosen NBT. The fight was competitive, back and forth between Horiguchi and Gaudinot. And that's the problem. No knock on Gaudinot but being competitive against him is your best, take your paycheck and go home come Main Event time. It took time for Horiguchi to find himself in that time. At times Gaudinot outworked and outhustled him. You can bank that time to adjust will not be granted to him by Johnson. If he fights that way against Mighty Mouse it'll be nite nite Kyoji. He must use his own speed and movement to at least stay within range. Horiguchi's key will be his unpredictability. He's not unorthodox at all. Opponents just have a hard time readig when or from where he will strike. Maybe he can catch Mighty Mouse.
Kyoji Horiguchi tends to set and put his all into his strikes. And that will be his undoing. That half second or whatever it takes for him to set Johnson will see it and either attack or disappear. We'll spend an evening watching attacking ghosts. Demetrious Johnson is simply at another level much like Mayweather or a 2008 Anderson Silva. Simply unmatched. I'll take Mighty Mouse by 4th round submission.
My Other Picks:
Bisping decisions Dolloway in a battle of most obnoxious Middleweights
Maldonado decisions Jackson in a huge upset.
Makdessi KO's Campbell
Almeida Ko's Jabouin
Cote decisions Riggs
Kaufman Ko's Davis
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