The Savage Truth: The Flyweight Fiasco

Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed below are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sherdog.com, its affiliates and sponsors or its parent company, Evolve Media. So, it looks like we’re destined for another reality show-vetted contender for a UFC title. I know, I know, Matt Serra knocked off Georges St. Pierre for the welterweight crown nine years ago in the most stunning upset our sport has ever seen. If you think there is more than the remotest of chances that happens again, let me be the first one to let you know that you can put that one to bed right now. I get why they tried to do the comeback season of “The Ultimate Fighter” back in 2007, the show was still somewhat fresh and they were looking for ways to jazz it up a bit. It was a way to reintroduce fighters that fans had seen before, and who, with the expanding catalogue of shows, were needed to bring name recognition to the cards. They even got the added bonus of a guy who should have lost in the finals going on to defeat the world champion. It was a once in a lifetime-type occurrence. Flash forward to present day and “The Ultimate Fighter” of 2016. Season 20-whatever we’re on now and here comes this idea again. As you can probably tell, yeah, I have a few problems with it. First off, you have a champion in Demetrious Johnson who, aside from possibly Jon Jones, is far-and-away the most dominant titleholder in the sport. He’s closing in on Anderson Silva’s record for UFC championship defenses and has laid waste to the entire flyweight division. He really …

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