Demetrious Johnson wants to make UFC history before taking superfight with Cruz

Published Oct. 20, 2016 4:36 p.m. ET

Jonathan Bradley

Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has lost to just one man during his illustrious six-year UFC career. And while he would love nothing more than to get his revenge, he’s got his eyes set on making history first.

But after that, he open to fighting Dominick Cruz again and hopefully making a pretty penny while he’s at it.

“It was definitely a tough fight and obviously I’ve [improved] leaps and bounds -- that fight was maybe four years ago,” Johnson said during an appearance on UFC Tonight. “I’d rather cement my legacy by having 14 title defenses. Dom’s not going anywhere, he’s going to be at 135. I’ll go up there, and if the money’s right, then I’ll do it. Me and Dom have talked about this occasionally and we want to make big money.”

Johnson lost to Cruz back in 2011 when they fought for the UFC bantamweight title. “Mighty Mouse” would go on to win the UFC flyweight just two fights later and has defended his belt eight times since 2012.

He now just sits two title defenses short of tying Anderson Silva’s record of 10, and he appears more focused on achieving that goal than putting his winning streak on the line for a superfight with Cruz. At least, for the moment he is.

“I’m going to keep on fighting in the flyweight division. I’m at the point where I’ve beat the best guys already. I beat No. 1 and 2 and 3, 1 and 2 multiple times -- No. 2 is at bantamweight. Now it’s about building my wealth, keep on making this money, and eventually if the big fight presents itself -- I’m searching for the seven-figure payday, that’s what I’m searching for.”