Coach Duane Ludwig has been at the side of UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw for a good portion of his professional MMA career.
UFC President recently said a potential bout between Dillashaw and UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson isn’t happening, but Ludwig makes his case for why it should.
“Since I’ve been helping TJ, our main goal and my main goal is to see how good we can get him,” Ludwig said on The MMA Hour. “Right now, he is the best mixed martial artist that has ever walked Earth at 135 pounds. Demetrious is the best that has ever walked Earth at 125. So, it’s time to meet in the middle or we’ll meet at 125 and see who’s the best mixed martial artist. Because for me personally, I am super fascinated with the development and the evolution of the human species and specifically in the subject of a martial artist. I want to find out how much exactly I know by testing that against Demetrious Johnson utilizing TJ’s skillset, as a martial arts enthusiast.”
Johnson recently did state that negotiations for the bout were underway, but neither fighters has commented on the situation since White said the bout was off.
Cody Garbrandt is the man Dilllashaw defeated at UFC 217 and a potential next opponent for the champion, but Ludwig says the former title holder hasn’t earned a rematch.
“I just feel that he (Garbrandt) needs to earn it and deserve it,” Ludwig said. “He needs to earn and deserve his title. He got knocked out in the second round. He hasn’t earned anything.”
Neither Dillashaw or Johnson have been booked in a fight as of this writing and there is no time frame as to when those announcements could be coming.
