Michael Johnson needs Justin Gaethje rematch after KO of 12 months contender at UFC Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. – Michael Johnson has spent about 40 % of his life as a UFC fighter in a profession with the promotion that’s about to hit 15 years.

Johnson began within the firm all the way in which again on Season 12 of “The Final Fighter.” He misplaced the light-weight last to Jonathan Brookins in 2010, however that jump-started a UFC run that now has hit 30 fights.

The names on that record are a digital who’s-who of the light-weight division through the years, too: Tony Ferguson, Edson Barboza, Beneil Dariush, Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje all have stood throughout from Johnson.

However aside from a modest four-fight streak in 2015, Johnson hasn’t received greater than two fights in a row, holding any sort of title-push momentum to a minimal. However one factor that by no means appears to fail is that Johnson winds up in some thrilling fights, even when his 30-fight UFC profession has yielded solely six post-fight bonuses.

A kind of, although, got here Saturday at UFC on ESPN 63 at Amalie Enviornment in Tampa, Fla., the place Johnson (23-19 MMA, 15-15 UFC) knocked out Ottman Azaitar (13-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) on the prelims.

“It’s like completely different sort of actions (within the sport), and also you don’t actually know what you’re going to get. So 15 years in, the followers are nonetheless having fun with watching me battle, and it simply motivates me extra to maintain going and hold getting in right here and preventing to the most effective of my skill and proceed to get higher.

“That’s what’s subsequent for me – to get again into the health club, to work on issues that I have to work on enhancing. My wrestling can get touched up. Jiu-jitsu can at all times get touched. My placing can at all times get touched up. I simply wish to enhance day by day. I’m all about development proper now.”

The actual fact Johnson, at 38, and 30 fights into his UFC run, nonetheless is speaking about getting higher says one thing about his sturdiness and doubtlessly about his longevity.

He stated he doesn’t see the tip of the street but, essentially.

“5 years (extra, I wish to battle). I at all times inform individuals I wish to do eight to 10 extra years they usually have a look at me with this face. I’m not slowing down any time quickly. So long as my physique’s wholesome and I can get by what I have to get by, I’m going to battle for so long as I can.

“I feel Nate Diaz stated it the most effective, and he’s became pal. He was an opponent of mine. We at all times be in contact, however he made a remark that stated, ‘Sh*t, I’ll battle until I’m 50. Simply getting began.’ In order that’s what it’s. I’m simply getting began. This may be my peak. Lots of people peak at 25, 30 (years previous). I may be one peaking at 38, 40.”

If that’s the case, another person in that age bracket who was a previous opponent is on his record of potential dance companions for down the street: Gaethje, who knocked Johnson out in 2017 in his promotional debut. That was a Struggle of the Night time winner (and a double bonus for Gaethje), although Johnson was on the improper finish of it.

“The Justin Gaethje battle – that’s the one which I would like. I feel everyone would love a Gaethje-Johnson (rematch). I gave him that chance when he came visiting (from WSOF), when no one else needed to (battle him), so I feel he ought to go forward and provides that again. We have to run one ’trigger I do know he is aware of he bought away with that one.”

Take a look at Johnson’s full post-fight interview within the video above.

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