UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson is one successful title defense away from tying the record set by former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. Not only is he planning on tying the record next year, but he knows exactly where he wants to do it at.
“Vegas. Always Vegas,” Johnson said at the TUF 24 Finale post-fight press conference. “Same time zone (as the West Coast), and stuff’s open. I’m about to get some food, and it’s 11:30 at night."
While there are fans on the East Coast who wouldn’t mind seeing Johnson tie the record at a location near them, Johnson is completely against it.
"I don’t want to fight at 1 o’clock in the morning. I always love fighting in Vegas, and I’ll choose Vegas over any place in the world,” said Johnson.
Johnson has said that records weren't his real goals starting out.
“I’m a self-motivator,” he said. “I didn’t get in to this sport to become a world champion. I got in to this sport to become a better mixed martial artist. And a long time ago, (my coach) Matt (Hume) was like, ‘If you’re goal is to become champion, you’re lost. I can offer you way more than becoming champion.’ I was like, ‘Interesting. Let me find what this path leads me to.'”
Although Johnson’s next title defense or even opponent has yet to be announced, Joseph Benavidez, Wlison Reis, Sergio Pettis or Jussier Formiga could get the spot. An official announcement isn’t expected until 2017.
