Demetrious Johnson was confused when he heard the news he would be facing the winner of TUF 24 while live streaming a game of Street Fighter on Twitch.
The UFC announced on Tuesday that 16 flyweight fighters will compete for a title shot without having let their longest running champion know first.
Johnson, who is the number two ranked pound for pound fighter in the promotion, was midway through beating down Ken with Nash when a viewer asked him his thoughts on the decision.
He said: “Is that how it goes? I didn’t see that the winner gets to fight me, is that true?
“That’s very odd, I think that’s kind of fucked up for all the guys that have already been in the division for a long time.
“It’s so odd that I’m confused a little bit, very confused.”
Before adding: “The UFC does what they want, I just worry about myself, I just fight.
“If I was in the UFC and I wasn’t champion and they’re having this then I feel like I’d jump on the
show and get released from my contract.”
It certainly is odd that the UFC did not notify their flyweight champion of the decision. Despite failing to draw big numbers Johnson has been the UFC’s most active champion, having defended his belt seven times in around three years.
He looks to make his eighth defence later this month at UFC 197 when he meets Olympic gold medallist Henry Cejudo.
TUF 24 will premiere August 31 on Fox Sports 1 with the finale and flyweight championship fight scheduled for December.
