Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson (27-2, 5 KOs, 11 SUBs) and bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw (15-3, 7 KOs, 3 SUBs) will happen next year, according to UFC president Dana White. A date and venue have yet to be announced. Bet on the latest UFC odds, and get the previews, predictions and betting picks and BookMaker.eu now!
A champion vs. champion superfight is in the works. In a UFC 218 post-fight presser, president Dana White announced that flyweight champion and pound-for-pound king Demetrious Johnson would face two-time bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw in the future.
“Yeah, that fight’s going to happen,” White told reporters. “We haven’t announced it yet.”
That certainly sounds like the superfight is already in the works, but MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani tweeted that it “is nowhere near done.” Considering that it would be DJ’s most compelling fight in...ever...it would definitely behoove the UFC to make it happen.
And if it does, who would be the favorite? Today, we’re projecting possible money lines for the pairing with the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu.
Projected UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
T.J. Dillashaw -140
Demetrious Johnson +120
Early Odds Analysis
Size matter, especially against Demetrious Johnson. Dillashaw has stated in the past that he’d have no problems making the cut to 125 pounds, and if that’s true it could means problems for “Mighty Mouse.”
For all of DJ’s supremacy as the champ, there have been moments where bigger, stronger guys were able to take him down. Tim Elliott had early success dragging the smaller champ to the mat before he tired out. In his last loss, against Dominick Cruz in 2011, DJ was consistently taken to the mat in the final three frames.
Dillashaw might be more known for his footwork and striking these days, but don’t forget that he comes from a wrestling background. Against a power puncher in John Lineker, T.J. blended his in-an-out striking with well-timed takedowns to cruise to victory.
So why wouldn’t the bantamweight be a bigger favorite? First, making the cut to 125 might not be as easy as he thinks. Flyweight challenger Henry Cejudo made the same claim: “He can say he’s light; when you get down to 125 pounds, you’re going to feel it the next day, and Demetrious is a cardio machine. I think that’s what’s going to make that fight dangerous...at 125 pounds, I can say it will be a pretty dominant win by Demetrious Johnson.”
UFC Betting Tips
This is a tough call, and betting this fight will mainly depend on what the opening UFC odds are. If DJ is anywhere close to a +150 underdog, a small bet would make sense. Dillashaw has never fought at 125 pounds before, and will have a speed advantage to boot. However, if the bantamweight champ is close to even money, his size would make him a smart choice.
UFC Odds Pick: Johnson at +150, or Dillashaw at -110 or lower
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today. Johnson vs. Dillashaw is rumored to take place in early 2018.
