On Tuesday evening it was announced that the original UFC 213 headliner between current bantamweight ruler Cody Garbrandt and Dillashaw was canceled due to Garbrandt’s lingering back issues. UFC President Dana White confirmed to ESPN.com that the promotion was considering booking Dillashaw as Johnson’s next title defense at an as-yet-to-be-announced date in August.
That was apparently news to “Mighty Mouse,” who has other plans for his record-breaking 11th flyweight title defense.
Just so the world know I haven’t agreed to anything still waiting on my contract to fight [Ray Borg] not [T.J. Dillashaw],” Johnson wrote on Twitter. “If he wants a title shot he can come to flyweight and get a win then get his turn.”
Just so the world know I haven't agreed to anything still waiting on my contract to fight @tazmexufc not @TJDillashaw if he wants a title
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) May 24, 2017
Shot he can come to flyweight and get a win then get his turn
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) May 24, 2017
If the UFC does book Johnson vs. Dillashaw, Borg would be the odd man out. The Jackson-Wink MMA representative has won five of his last six Octagon appearances, including a unanimous decision triumph against Jussier da Silva at UFC Fight Night 106 on March 11. Unlike Dillashaw, Borg has competed exclusively as a flyweight during his promotional tenure. However, he has struggled to make weight for previous bouts. The 23-year-old “Tazmexican Devil” issued a statement of his own via Twitter when news of Dillashaw’s impending flyweight title shot came to light:
Here is were I stand goodnight. pic.twitter.com/9i1LbVVHBa
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) May 24, 2017
Meanwhile, Dillashaw submitted a poll on Twitter, which prompted a response from Borg.
Would you rather see @MightyMouseUFC headline Seattle and fight Me or @tazmexufc ?
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) May 24, 2017
@TJDillashaw @MightyMouseUFC Lol of course fans are going to choose you, look at how much more established you are than me.
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) May 24, 2017
@tazmexufc Nothing but respect for you.
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) May 24, 2017
During his reign atop the flyweight division, Johnson has defended the belt 10 times and established himself as perhaps the sport’s top pound-for-pound talent. He last appeared at UFC on Fox 24, where he submitted Wilson Reis in the third round of the card’s main event.