Demetrious Johnson Only Willing to Face T.J. Dillashaw on ‘Stacked’ Pay-Per-View Card

Reigning flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is ready to sign on the dotted line to defend his crown against T.J. Dillashaw, but the placement of their fight must first meet his requirements.

“Mighty Mouse” recently told ESPN.com that he doesn’t want his showdown with Dillashaw to anchor a UFC pay-per-view card. Instead, he prefers that it be part of a “stacked” event that features multiple title fights or a big draw as a headliner.

"I'd rather have somebody else [be the] main event, who is going to bring in way more PPVs," Johnson told ESPN. "In my opinion, that's held up the fight on my end. I've seen guys jump on [stacked] PPV cards and make $1.5 million, fighting an inferior opponent than who I'm about to fight. Me and T.J. could fight on a smaller card and pull 275,000 buys, get an extra check for $75,000. My management told me, 'You know what, we'll hold out for a big event.'

"A lot of media and fans think that's a way of turning down fights or ducking someone, but that's a way of being a smart businessman and getting the most money you can get. ... I'll wait for that opportunity, because in that one card, I'll basically make more money than three fights -- a year and a half of my life -- [combined]."

Johnson is one of the select fighters on the roster who receives pay-per-view points and is able to earn a greater payday if pay-per-view buys are higher. As a standalone headliner, the flyweight champion hasn’t proven to be a big draw. His rematch with John Dodson, for example, did a reported 115,000 buys at UFC 191, while a successful title defense against Kyoji Horiguchi drew 125,000 buys.

Johnson, who owns the UFC record for most consecutive successful title defenses, offered an example of the type of card that should include his fight against Dillashaw.

"If we can get three title fights -- a champions vs. champions edition -- that should do well," Johnson said. "If they did Georges St. Pierre vs. Tyron Woodley, Amanda Nunes vs. Cyborg [Cristiane Justino] and me vs. T.J., they can send me the contract. They can negotiate that contract now."

However, if the UFC balks at Johnson’s demands, he won’t agree to face Dillashaw, currently the reigning bantamweight champion. Instead, he’ll take the next highest ranked flyweight contender on a less prestigious UFC card.

"I'm not going to sit here and f---ing argue. 'This is what I want. If you're not going to give it to me, that's fine. I'll just keep fighting guys in my division,” Johnson said. “You want to strip me? Fine, perfect. Strip me. I'll work my way back up the ladder.

"I've beat everyone in my division. Now I'm waiting for my opportunity to be on the kind of card that makes that kind of money. And I'm not trying to piggyback off anyone else. I feel I bring a lot to the table -- 11 title defenses. I should get that opportunity. If people disagree, that's their problem. That's what I feel I am worth."