Michael Johnson issues a brief statement on his knockout loss to Josh Emmett at UFC on ESPN 2.
Michael Johnson looked to be outpointing Josh Emmett last Saturday at UFC on ESPN 2 until, with just under a minute to go in the third and final round, ‘Grim Reaper’ landed a crushing overhand right that sent Johnson crashing to the canvas. No follow up punches were necessary, as Johnson was knocked out cold with one punch.
Although on the receiving end of a knockout of the year candidate, Johnson is taking the loss in stride and has promised to return to the Octagon stronger than ever.
“Great fight and hats off to Emmett,” Johnson posted on Instagram. “I’ve slipped and fell in the game several times, and I’m always back on feet. See ya guys soon.”
Johnson, a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter 12, was once one of the brightest prospect in the UFC, but ‘The Menace’ has struggled to gain the momentum needed to make a run for a title shot in recent years, going 2-4 in his last six outings. Johnson holds wins over the likes of Edson Barboza and Dustin Poirier but has suffered defeats to Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomedov and, most recently, Emmett.
The 32-year-old made his featherweight debut last year but has yet to crack the top-fifteen.