Immediately after Michael Johnson knocked out Dustin Poirier with a devastating two-punch combo in the main event of last night’s (Sat., September 17, 2016) UFC Fight Night 94 (highlights here) from Hidalgo, Texas, “The Menace” already has another potential high-profile dance partner lined up. Following his own impressive win over Charles Oliveira in his featherweight debut
Following his own impressive win over Charles Oliveira in his featherweight debut at August’s UFC on FOX 21, former lightweight champion somewhat surprisingly took to Twitter to call out “Menace,” who obviously fights at his old home. If he can’t get that bout, however, he’ll take on interim featherweight champion Jose Aldo:
“The Menace” was quick to answer the callout when asked about it by FOX Sports’ UFC’s Karyn Bryant:
Johnson noted that Pettis just cut down to featherweight after three losses in a row at lightweight, so the callout did confuse him a bit. While he noted he had called out “Showtime” years ago, he was obviously willing to take him on in an effort to sign on for the biggest fight possible:
“If Anthony Pettis fights ’55, I’m pretty sure he dropped to ’45, didn’t he? I’m pretty sure I called him out. Yeah, I called him out a long time ago and he went to ’45. But hey, if he wants to fight, Anthony, I’m your man. I’m all for it. He’s a great ex-champ and he’s a great guy and I would love to fight him.”
There’s no doubt a bout between knockout strikers like Pettis and Johnson would be a great addition to any event. It may also be the right time for such a fight, as it appears lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez will face featherweight champion Conor McGregor while No. 2 Rafael dos Anjos meets No. 3 Tony Ferguson in the main event of November 5’s UFC Fight Night 98 from Mexico City, Mexico. Unless “Menace” faces No. 1 Khabib Nurmagomedov, a fight with “Showtime” is possible.
If that doesn’t work out, Aldo has already expressed interest in a fight with Pettis, believing it to be a ‘money fight’ like Johnson that he would have an easier chance of winning than he would against surging 145-pounder Max Holloway. “Showtime” stormed onto the featherweight rankings at No. 6, and it appears the future is bright for him there.
If he returns to lightweight to face Johnson, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Last night’s (Sat., September 17, 2016) UFC Fight Night 94 from the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas, featured the rise (or was it return) of one of the best lightweight contenders in the UFC when Michael ‘The Menace’ Johnson floored Dustin Poirier (watch the highlights) with a pinpoint combination of punches following a bad blood-filled
Last night’s (Sat., September 17, 2016) UFC Fight Night 94 from the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas, featured the rise (or was it return) of one of the best lightweight contenders in the UFC when Michael ‘The Menace’ Johnson floored Dustin Poirier (watch the highlights) with a pinpoint combination of punches following a bad blood-filled buildup to the fight.
The win, which was in Johnson’s first bout since a disheartening decision loss to Nate Diaz last December, instantly inserted ‘Menace’ back near the top of the crowded 155-pound ranks, and it also not surprisingly earned him $50,000 for the first ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus of the card.
The second ‘Performance of the Night’ deservedly went to Texas-based featherweight Chas Skelly, who re-wrote the record books with the fastest submission in UFC featherweight history when he stopped Maximo Blanco in just 19 seconds with a picture-perfect Anaconda choke off of a wild opening scramble where both fighters rushed in with running kicks.
Finally, lightweight Evan Dunham and Rick Glenn took home $50,000 each for ‘Fight of the Night’ following a fun slugfest where Dunham controlled the action but was met head on by a tough opponent Glenn, who refused to go down despite absorbing a ton of powerful shots.
Tonight’s (Sat., September 17, 2016) UFC Fight Night 94 is in the books from the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas, and the card delivered some hard-hitting fireworks at the top. In the main event, Michael “The Menace” Johnson reestablished himself as a top contender at lightweight with a shocking first-round knockout (highlights here) of previously
Tonight’s (Sat., September 17, 2016) UFC Fight Night 94 is in the books from the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas, and the card delivered some hard-hitting fireworks at the top.
In the main event, Michael “The Menace” Johnson reestablished himself as a top contender at lightweight with a shocking first-round knockout (highlights here) of previously surging competitor Dustin Poirier.
In the co-main, Derek Brunson extended his streak to four straight stoppages by flooring Uriah Hall.
Join LowKickMMA.com for the post-fight press conference starting shortly after the main card:
The UFC rolls on with the second of four cards throughout the month of September in the form of Saturday night’s (September 17, 2016) UFC Fight Night 94 from the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. In the main event, surging lightweight Dustin ‘Diamond’ Poirier will look to prove he’s truly ready to be placed among the
The UFC rolls on with the second of four cards throughout the month of September in the form of Saturday night’s (September 17, 2016) UFC Fight Night 94 from the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.
In the main event, surging lightweight Dustin ‘Diamond’ Poirier will look to prove he’s truly ready to be placed among the top names of the talented 155-pound division when he meets perennial top 10 contender Michael Johnson, who will be competing inside the Octagon for the first time since his disappointing loss to Nate Diaz last December.
In the co-main, two middleweights seeking a spot in the top-heavy 185-pound fray will throw down when Uriah Hall meets Derek Brunson. Hall has show flashes of both brilliance and inconsistency lately, while Brunson has looked like a runaway freight train, albeit against lower-ranked competition. Based on how these two fighters’ bouts have played out in the past, this fight has the potential for some serious fireworks.
Find out who we picked to win these two pivotal bouts below.
Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Johnson:
Mike Drahota:
With four straight dominating wins over increasingly more difficult opponents, it’s a surprise to me that the odds have Poirier, who comes in at only a -157 favorite according to BigOnSports.com, picked so slightly. True, ‘Menace’ has long been a force in arguably the UFC’s deepest division, but there are several question marks about his mental state after he’s taken the entire year off following his loss to Diaz.
I believe Johnson has the wrestling advantage, yet he seems focused on using predominantly striking, something I believe could get him in trouble against the recent bulldozing form of the ‘Diamond.’ Johnson may have retooled his game in the time off, but Poirier seems ultra-confident and ultra-powerful after moving back up to 155. ‘Diamond’ by second-round TKO.
Rory Kernaghan:
I like the new version of Poirier; he’s a real killer at lightweight. Surprising us with a renewed vigor against Joe Duffy and Bobby Green, ‘Diamond’ has shown improvements in all departments. He faces in Michael Johnson a proven beast, but MJ has suffered two straight losses. In his fight against Nate Diaz, ‘The Menace’ was taught a valuable boxing lesson. This remains a tough fight to pick though, as either man is very hard to beat on any given day. This fight will come down to who establishes the jab in the stand up and the control in the grappling exchanges. For my money, it’s going to be a decision for Poirier.
Mike Henken:
This fight may seem like a fairly even contest at first glance, but I see “The Diamond” earning a decisive victory here. Johnson’s speed and power cannot be overlooked, but he’s struggled as of late, dropping two consecutive bouts. Poirier, on the other hand, has won four straight since moving up to 155-pounds. He’s looked stronger, faster, and rejuvenated, and I see him continuing his winning trend in Texas. Poirier by unanimous decision.
Derek Brunson vs. Uriah Hall:
Mike Drahota:
This fight is another that could have ‘Fight of the Night’ written on it, as both Hall and Brunson bring heated action in their own respective ways. ‘Primetime’ obviously uses his flashy Karate-based striking background, while the more hard-nosed Brunson brings a pressure-heavy, brute force striking game in addition to some power wrestling tactics. With momentum in his favor, BigOnSports.com has Brunson a -179 favorite, with Hall a +154 underdog.
Hall has exhibited the full potential that he brought over from TUF 17 in the Octagon, and he’s also been seen coasting too often to be a top contender. However, his emphatic win over Gegard Mousasi last year proves he can defeat the best when on his game. Brunson has steamrolled through competition as of late, winning four straight including three in a row by TKO. He’ll give “Primetime” fits with his pressure and takedown attempts, but I think Hall will be able to stay out of range just long enough to outscore the Jackson’s MMA product. Uriah Hall by decision in a close bout.
Rory Kernaghan:
I love this fight. Hall has proven to be an absolute beast when he’s on form, and Brunson is one of those naturally explosive knockout artists you just love to watch. Unfortunately for ‘U-Hall,’ the Ultimate Fighter veteran can suffer from dips in form. He is coming off a disappointing loss to Robert Whittaker, but history tells us Hall will be rampant in trying to regain his form. Technique and a wider arsenal wins this fight, as I pick Hall for the first-round knockout.
Mike Henken:
In my opinion, the co-main event could very well feature a striking battle between two explosive strikers. Hall has proven himself to be one of the most exciting strikers in the division, although he is coming off of a disappointing setback loss to Robert Whittaker. Prior to that, however, “Primetime” scored an emphatic stoppage victory over Gegard Mousasi, proving that he could finish anyone in the 185-pound class. Brunson, on the other hand, also packs serious power as he’s scored three straight TKO victories and four straight wins overall. This fight is a toss up for me and I could see it playing out multiple ways, but I’ll go with Hall by way of third-round stoppage.
The UFC’s inaugural trip to Hidalgo, Texas, which is slated for September 17, 2016 on FOX Sports 1, has received its main event. A pivotal lightweight bout between No. 8-ranked Dustin “Diamond” Poirier and No. 10-ranked Michael “Menace” Johnson is set to headline the show. Johnson posted the bout agreement on his official Instagram account
The UFC’s inaugural trip to Hidalgo, Texas, which is slated for September 17, 2016 on FOX Sports 1, has received its main event. A pivotal lightweight bout between No. 8-ranked Dustin “Diamond” Poirier and No. 10-ranked Michael “Menace” Johnson is set to headline the show.
Johnson posted the bout agreement on his official Instagram account earlier today (July 18, 2016):
The red hot Poirier has been on a tear since moving back up to lightweight in 2014, putting together a four fight win streak. That win streak includes stoppage victories over the likes of Carlos Diego Ferreira, Yancy Medeiros, Bobby Green, as well as an entertaining decision win over Joseph Duffy.
Johnson, on the other hand, has hit some rough times as of late, losing two straight to Beneil Dariush and Nate Diaz. Prior to those two losses, the “Menace” had won four straight over the likes of Joe Lauzon, Gleison Tibau, Melvin Guillard, and Edson Barboza.
Despite Johnson coming off of a loss, this fight makes quite a bit of sense as each man is looking to establish himself as a legitimate threat in the shark tank that is the lightweight division. Also, this fight has a fantastic chance to produce fireworks from a stylistic standpoint.
