DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON
the first two rounds and I was able to
make adjustments and beat the guy.
So that’s the biggest advantage I
see going into this fight. And I would
say, is his wrestling a concern? You
have to respect his wrestling. He’s an
Olympic gold medallist in wrestling,
and for me to not respect it would
make me stupid and naïve. But if
that’s the fight that’s going to be
made, then we will get after it and
hope for the best.
What do you think of these
fighters standing up for more
pay and even signing with rival
organisations?
We’re at that age now where fighters
are asking for more, asking what
they believe they are worth. You’ve
got a guy like Aljamain Sterling.
Perfect example. Aljamain Sterling,
he’s undefeated as a bantamweight
and his last fight he made $24,000,
took on a tough Brazilian, ended up
finishing him.
And then you have a guy like Sage
Northcutt – and I don’t dislike any
of these guys, I’m just pointing out
facts and telling the truth. You’ve got
a guy like Sage Northcutt, who made
$80,000 and it was his. What? Second
or third fight in the UFC? I hadn’t
even heard of Sage Northcutt until hejumped in the UFC, so the UFC made
Sage Northcutt the man he is. That’s
why he’s so popular, because they
made him that popular. Like the UFC
makes stars.
I feel that Aljamain Sterling hit
on a couple of good points. He was
like, ‘Dude, like what’s the difference
between me and Sage Northcutt?
Like, what’s the difference? Why is
he getting 80 grand and I’m getting
$24,000? I’m undefeated.’ And I think
it’s right by the UFC to go, ‘Dude, this
is why Sage is getting 80 grand and
this is why you’re getting $24,000,’
and just be upfront about it.
I think it’s right that somebody
tells him why he’s not making as
much money as Sage Northcutt,
because the guy’s undefeated.WE’RE AT THAT
AGE NOW WHERE
FIGHTERS ARE
ASKING FOR MORE,
ASKING WHAT
THEY BELIEVE THEY
ARE WORTH.Johnson defending his belt
against John Dodson at UFC 191CONNECT WITH US
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