Tag: Michael Johnson

Veteran UFC lightweight contender, Michael Johnson has blasted past opponent and perennial division challenger, former interim champion, Tony Ferguson – branding his boxing “garbage” amid rumors of a potential rematch between the two veterans.

Johnson, who boasts a 21-18 professional record, managed to return to the winner’s enclosure back in December at UFC Orlando last year, defeating Marc Diakiese in a unanimous decision triumph – which came as just his second win in his last seven Octagon outings. 

As for Tony Ferguson, the Oxnard native headlined UFC 279 back in September of last year against promotional veteran and common-foe, Nate Diaz, suffering an eventual fourth round guillotine choke submission defeat. The loss came as Ferguson’s fifth consecutively following a division-best run of 12 straight wins at lightweight.

Michael Johson previously offered to rematch Tony Ferguson

Matching with Johnson back in May 2012, Ferguson suffered a fractured forearm during their UFC Fight Night East Rutherford clash, en route to an eventual unanimous decision loss.

Amid their recent run of defeats, Johnson offered to rematch Ferguson for their next respective Octagon outings recently.

“Yo @TonyFergusonXT not sure if you’re still in the big game, but if so and you want to come back to ‘55 I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself,” Michael Johnson tweeted. “Or we can do it 170 also!! Let’s give the fans what they want!!!!” 

However, earlier this week, Johnson once more reached out to California veteran, Ferguson – this time to criticize his striking.

“Too bad your boxing is (garbage can emojis),” Michael Johnson tweeted in response to Tony Ferguson. 

Over the course of his lightweight tenure with the promotion, Johnson has landed victories over former interim titleholders, Ferguson, as well as Dustin Poirier – the latter of which with a first round KO in 2016, as well as perennial contenders, Edson Barboza, Joe Lauzon, and Melvin Guillard. 

Having previously defeated former interim UFC lightweight titleholder, Tony Ferguson back in 2012, lightweight division staple, Michael Johnson has offered the Oxnard veteran an opportunity to avenge his loss 11 years later, and also snap his run of five consecutive losses.

Featuring on a UFC on Fox card in New Jersey back in 2012, Ferguson suffered his first promotional loss in the form of a unanimous decision defeat to Johnson, fracturing his forearm during the contest after blocking a kick.

Ferguson, a former interim UFC lightweight titleholder, would embark on a division-tying run of 12 fights undefeated in the eight years following the loss to Johnson, including his interim title success.

However, in the last three years, Tony Ferguson has slumped to five consecutive losses, including defeats against Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, Michael Chandler, and most recently, Nate Diaz in September of last year.

For Johnson, the once surging lightweight contender who also holds wins over another former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier courtesy of a 2016 UFC Fight Night Hidalgo main event KO, has experienced a topsy-turvy Octagon tenure. 

Returning at UFC Fight NIght Orlando back in December of last year, Johnson returned to the winner’s enclosure with a close, unanimous decision win over former UK lightweight, Marc Diakiese. 

Michael Johnson offers Tony Ferguson a rematch of their 2012 matchup

Offering Tony Ferguson a rematch in their next respective Octagon walks, Johnson claimed fans would be interested in seeing the duo rematch.

“Yo @TonyFergusonXT not sure if you’re still in the big game, but if so and you want to come back to ‘55 I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself,” Michael Johnson tweeted. “Or we can do it 170 also!! Let’s give the fans what they want!!!!”

Winning interim lightweight gold back in October 2017, Ferguson submitted promotional alum, Kevin Lee with a third round triangle in the main event of UFC 216.