Considering how dominant Demetrious Johnson has been as the flyweight champ, at this point we’re just hoping somebody actually tests “Mighty Mouse” inside the octagon.
Perhaps that man is undefeated Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo, who will attempt to end DJ’s lengthy title run this Saturday.
Bet on UFC 197 odds at BookMaker.eu
Demetrious Johnson -400
Henry Cejudo +325
Over/under 4.5 rounds, over -190, under +161
Please note, the UFC odds at BookMaker are updated on a daily basis, so the lines listed here may have changed.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Johnson’s odds have gone up over the past month, from a -450 opening line on March 10 to the 4-to-1 money line he has now. Over the same period, Cejudo has gone down from +355 to +325. This implies that a lot of the action has been on the Olympian, though he remains a big underdog in the bout.
THE STAKES
If Mighty Mouse handily beats Cejudo, there are literally no fights left for him at 125. He’s beaten all credible contenders -- twice in some case. There are already calls for him to move up in weight to challenge the bantamweight champion, but Johnson has been vocal in the astronomical payday he’d require to do so. Perhaps he can force the UFC’s hand and set himself with the multi-million dollar bout he’s asking for.
CEJUDO’S KEYS TO VICTORY
An Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, Cejudo has an impressive combination of speed and athleticism. When it comes to takedowns and top control, he’s everything you’d expect from somebody with his credentials. He’s understandably less skilled when it comes to striking, but his boxing is progressing rapidly.
From the start, Cejudo needs to put immense pressure on Johnson. The only time we’ve seen DJ struggle was the first few rounds in his initial encounter with John Dodson. Johnson wasn’t used to fighting somebody that was faster than he was, and Cejudo possesses the same type of quickness. He could very well find success if he can stay in the champion’s face and make him uncomfortable.
However, Cejudo will have to take it a step further and put Johnson on the mat. Even at close quarters, DJ is a more polished standup fighter, and wrestling is arguably the only MMA skill where Cejudo has an advantage. This presents a huge challenge, as nobody has been able to hold Johnson down for long.
JOHNSON’S KEYS TO VICTORY
There might not be a more well-rounded fighter on the roster than Demetrious Johnson. You name it, he can do it. Striking, wrestling, jiu-jitsu...DJ does it all at a high level. What’s more, he’s one of the fastest, well-conditioned fighters on the roster. Even for a flyweight, Mighty Mouse puts on a pace that few can match.
It’s possible that Johnson might be a better MMA wrestler than Cejudo, but his best path to victory will be on the feet. He is far more developed when it comes to three-dimensional striking, and his ability to change levels both coming forward and backwards is something that Cejudo hasn’t really seen yet.
FIGHT ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Unfortunately for Cejudo, a title shot against DJ is too much, too soon. With just 10 pro fights, Cejudo isn’t experienced enough for the current longest reigning champion in the UFC. And even with more seasoning, it’s arguable that his ceiling isn’t as high as Johnson’s. It’s just too early to tell. While the challenger matches up well physically, when we’re talking about skillset, pace and experience, Johnson is the clear favorite.
PREDICTION: JOHNSON UD CEJUDO
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Access live betting lines at BookMaker Sportsbook and start wagering now. With our live betting options, you can also wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. UFC 197 takes place on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card will be televised on pay-per-view.
