So the flyweight division isn’t evaporating after all.
UFC honcho Dana White has confirmed after UFC 238 that his promotion’s remaining 125lb-ers will continue to have a home, capping off months of uncertainty and a few surprising cuts to the fight roster.
The news came after Henry Cejudo’s bantamweight TKO of Marlon Moraes, elevating the reigning flyweight champ to a two division title holder.
“Obviously [Henry] winning had a lot to do with the division,” White told reporters during the post-show press conference. “I haven’t even talked about that division in months. Yes, it is confirmed, it’s sticking around.”
The flyweight division’s uncertainty hit a fever pitch in 2018, after longtime undefeated champ Demetrius “Mighty Mouse” Johnson lost his position to Cejudo in August. An underwhelming performer ratings-wise, the split decision match sparked conversations about the future of the smaller brawler weight class online and in interviews. A handful of weeks later, before talks for a rematch against Cejudo could go anywhere, Johnson was traded to ONE FC in exchange for welterweight Ben Askren.
Flyweight will have its next showing in just a few weeks on June 29, when Joseph Benavidez goes up against Jussier Formiga.
