Demetrious Johnson-Chris Cariaso Flyweight Title Co-Main Event Joins UFC 177
Chris Cariaso has been granted a shot at UFC gold. | Dave
Mandel/Sherdog.com
Demetrious Johnson will defend his UFC flyweight title against Chris Cariaso at UFC 177.
UFC officials Tuesday announced that the 125-pound championship bout will serve as the co-main event to the pay-per-view card Aug. 30 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif.
Following Johnson’s five-round shellacking of Ali Bagautinov at UFC 176, many MMA fans and pundits wondered how soon “Mighty Mouse” would fight on a pay-per-view card following reports of poor buy rates. As it turns out, the wait will only be a little over two months, but this time Johnson’s defense will support the headlining bantamweight title rematch pitting T.J. Dillashaw against Renan Barao.
Top contender John Dodson’s recent knee injury likely threw a wrench into the UFC’s flyweight title plans, but a game and streaking Cariaso will try and make the most of his opportunity. The former World Extreme Cagefighting bantamweight has been competing at flyweight since 2012. After going 1-3 to start, “Kamikaze” has bounced back by winning three consecutive bouts, most recently against Louis Smolka at UFC Fight Night “Brown vs. Silva.”
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