UFC 178 Results: 3 Fights to Make for Demetrious Johnson

Can Demetrious Johnson actually get any better? His bout with Chris Cariaso at UFC 178 was certainly a mismatch, but his victory was arguably even more emphatic than most expected.

No longer content to simply outpoint his foes, Johnson is now either flattening his challengers or making them cry “uncle.”

His casual dominance has given UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby a bit of a headache. Is there anyone left for the diminutive champion to beat? That’s a tough one, but I have the unenviable task of taking a crack at it.

Read on for some potential future challengers to Johnson’s throne.

John Dodson

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

If given the choice, one imagines most would pick John Dodson to take the next crack at Demetrious Johnson.

The pair’s 2013 fight was utterly compelling from start to finish. The challenger’s power is what separates him from most of the flyweight division, and he was able to put the champion on his backside on more than one occasion.

But overall, Johnson was too technical, too elusive and too fit for Dodson. He earned a unanimous decision in his most competitive fight since becoming champion in 2012.

Unfortunately, we may be waiting a while before these two lock up again. Dodson underwent ACL surgery earlier this summer, and we likely won’t see him back in action until mid-2015.

But given that Johnson is being marketed as the UFC's "most active champion," maybe he wouldn't mind some time off.

Ian McCall

Felipe Dana/Associated Press

Given that Ian McCall and Demetrious Johnson have already fought twice, you might think it would be tough to justify a trilogy fight. And in light of how one-sided their second bout was, it becomes even more difficult to make the case.

However, it’s worth remembering that the pair fought to a contentious draw the first time around. Many onlookers, including myself, thought McCall had done enough to earn the decision, so you could make a shaky case that they are 1-1.

Additionally, McCall is now on a two-fight winning streak, after having endured a rough start to his UFC career. At his best, he is fast enough, skilled enough and athletic enough to give the champion some problems.

“Uncle Creepy” is scheduled to face fellow top contender John Lineker at UFC Fight Night 56 on November 8th. A win may just be enough to earn him the next shot.

John Lineker

USA TODAY Sports

Like John Dodson, John Lineker is one of the few fighters in the flyweight division who possesses truly fight-changing power.

But for his weight issues, he may have already earned himself a title fight. Unfortunately, the Brazilian misses the 125-pound limit almost as often as he makes it, so he would be an unreliable challenger.

If he can get his weight issues under control, though, he has the ability to beat anyone in the flyweight division.

If he can get through Ian McCall at UFC Fight Night 56, he may be in line for the next shot at Johnson.