After ruling the UFC flyweight division for nearly six years, former champion Demetrious Johnson lost his title in a close, controversial split decision vs. Henry Cejudo at UFC 227. From the way things look now, instead of an eventual rematch with the man who dethroned him, “Mighty Mouse” may be gone from the UFC altogether.
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reports that an historic arrangement is being put together to “send” Johnson to ONE Championship, while in exchange they would get former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion Ben Askren into the UFC at long last.
According to multiple sources, there is a proposed deal on the table for the UFC to release former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson from his contract in order to allow him to sign with ONE, and in return ONE will release former welterweight champion Ben Askren from his contract so he could finally join the UFC.