While speed has been his hallmark, UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson mixed in some noticeable strength in his latest title defense.
The UFC's ever-active 125-pound champ overpowered title challenger John Moraga while using frequent takedowns, suplexes, and a steady stream of ground and pound before notching the first stoppage win of his UFC title run.
The bout headlined Saturday's UFC on FOX 8 event at Seattle's KeyArena. It aired on FOX following prelims on FX and Facebook.
RAMPAGE VS. JONES: MMA-boxing clash in works
Moraga (12-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who went from a pair of low-profile wins on untelevised UFC preliminary cards to a network-televised main event, was simply outmatched once Johnson (18-2-1 MMA, 6-1-1 UFC) closed the distance. Both fighters come from wrestling backgrounds, but "Mighty Mouse" continually put Moraga on his back and clearly won rounds before securing a final-round armbar to halt the bout.
The flyweight division was the most recent and remains the lightest male weight class added to the UFC, but it's failed to gain the type of traction with fans that the heavier weight classes have. Part of the reason is the lack of finishes; in his first seven UFC fights, inaugural champ Johnson had never earned a submission or knockout win, and instead relied on the judges' scorecards.
However, following Rory MacDonald's uninspired win over Jake Ellenberger in UFC on FOX 8's co-headliner, Seattle fight fans were simply satisfied to see some action. And Johnson, a Washington resident and the clear crowd favorite, provided plenty of it before he outmuscled Moraga and straightened out the fight-ending armbar. The ref halted the bout at the 3:43 mark of the fifth round.
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It marked the latest stoppage win in UFC history, with just 77 seconds remaining in the bout. Johnson, though, said he wasn't too concerned about the method of victory as he was with simply getting the win.
"It wasn't important to me at all," he said. "I'm here to fight, and like I said, if the finish comes to me, I'm going to take it."
Moraga had early success with low kicks, and after a few scrambles and escapes from the mat, he tagged Johnson with some heavy punches. In fact, he clearly wobbled the champ late in the fourth round with a perfectly timed right hook that drew blood. However, as in earlier rounds, Johnson quickly took the fight to the mat and avoided any sustained attacks.
The jarring blow added pep to Moraga's step in the final round of the fight, but Johnson quickly recovered between rounds, darted in and out of range, and then scored his 10th takedown of the fight. It ultimately set up the submission win, which was Johnson's first since November 2010.
The champ, meanwhile, believes more are on the way.
"I felt great," he said. "It's just a sign of things to come."
Official UFC on FOX 8 results:
Champ Demetrious Johnson def. John Moraga via submission (armbar) - Round 5, 3:43 - to retain flyweight title
Rory MacDonald def. Jake Ellenberger via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Robbie Lawler def. Bobby Voelker via KO (head kick) - Round 2, 0:24
Liz Carmouche def. Jessica Andrade via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 3:57
Jorge Masvidal def. Michael Chiesa via submission (D'Arce choke) - Round 2, 4:59
Danny Castillo def. Tim Means via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Melvin Guillard def. Mac Danzig via KO (punches) - Round 2, 2:47
Daron Cruickshank def. Yves Edwards via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Ed Herman def. Trevor Smith via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Germaine de Randamie def. Julie Kedzie via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Justin Salas def. Aaron Riley via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Yaotzin Meza def. John Albert via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 2:49
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