UFC boss explains why Chris Cariaso got title shot with champ Demetrious Johnson

In the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA flyweight rankings, Chris Cariaso checks in at No. 11. So why is he getting a title shot with the No. 1-ranked fighter and reigning flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson?

This past week, officials announced that Cariaso (17-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) will fight Johnson (20-2-1 MMA, 8-1-1 UFC) at UFC 177. The bout co-headlines the Aug. 30 pay-per-view event, which takes place at at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

While Cariaso, who recently rebounded from a two-fight skid with three straight wins, may appear an unlikely title challenger, White said the organization had few other options.

“The problem is that there is no doubt the fight everybody wanted to see would be John Dodson, but he’s hurt,” White told UFC.com. “Ian McCall just fought, Johnson knocked out (Joseph) Benavidez, and he beat John Moraga.

“People are going to bitch about Demetrious Johnson no matter who we put him in there against. Eventually, he’ll just have to keep knocking people out left and right, and then he’ll earn his respect.”

Since a majority draw with McCall in 2012, Johnson has picked up six straight wins while winning the inaugural UFC 125-pound title and making four consecutive title defenses. Of the six wins, four have come via decision, one via knockout and one via submission. In 2013, he went 3-0 with three title defenses and three fight-night bonuses and earned Fighter of the Year consideration.

While Dodson (16-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who suffered a decision loss (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) to Johnson in January 2013, appeared to be the leading candidate for the next shot at the champ, the No. 2-ranked fighter is sidelined until 2015 due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery.

Other contenders were victorious this past week, with No. 9 John Lineker (24-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC) scoring a TKO victory over Alptekin Ozkilic (9-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 45 event and No. 4 McCall (13-4-1 MMA, 2-2-1 UFC) scoring a unanimous-decision win over Brad Pickett (24-9 MMA, 4-4 UFC) a few days later at UFC Fight Night 46.

UFC officials said the Johnson vs. Cariaso fight had already been announced and that they wanted the champ on the UFC 177 card, which ruled out Lineker and McCall. However, the two contenders have expressed interest in a title eliminator against each other while Johnson and Cariaso are next up.

For more on UFC 177, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Demetrious Johnson)