Michael Johnson Explains Why He Taunted Dustin Poirier After Knockout
Michael Johnson Explains Why He Taunted Dustin Poirier After Knockout
UFC lightweight staple Michael Johnson shared the reason he had words for Dustin Poirier following his knockout victory
Michael Johnson put in a stunning performance last evening at UFC Fight Night Hidalgo and powered through Dustin Poirier in just one minute and forty-one seconds of the first round.
Johnson spoke afterwards with UFC.com and told them that he was feeling good following the fight and that he was ready to get right back in there.
“I feel good, I wanted it to go five rounds but that’s what happens when you land big shots and your opponent can’t take them,” Johnson said. “I feel really good. I feel ready to get back into training and get the next victim outta the way.”
Johnson then described how the finish came about from his perspective and he almost seemed to be a little-taken aback by how quickly he finished the fight.
“He landed one shot, but I think he was really nervous,” Johnson said. “I think he went in there scared and I could see it in his eyes when we started. It always felt like I was two or three steps ahead of him. He left his head in there a little too long and I landed with my two punches. I didn’t think he was out with the first hook I hit him with, but like I said, I’m healthy, my shoulders are good and that’s the end result when I’m a healthy fighter.
“I had no idea what was going on,” he continued. “I hit him with one shot and went to follow up and all I saw was him fall. I missed a few of my follow up shots, but I wasn’t going to stop in that position and it was a good finish. I was going for the kill and I was going for blood. That’s what you gotta do in this division.”
Shortly after landing the knockout blows, Johnson appeared to stand over Poirier and shout an expletive at him as he down on the mat. Johnson then explained why he did that.
“I’ve known Dustin a long time and I felt disrespected to hear what he was saying to the press about me in his interviews,” Johnson said. “He said I walked out like I was a big shot and that I was nothing and that just rubbed me up the wrong way you know. I’ve been showing him the utmost respect in all my interviews so that right there was a proven point and you know he should’ve respected me more.
“I said some things after I knocked him out and I went and apologized to him. I know I’m better than that. Like I said it was an emotional thing and I like Dustin, he’s a good guy and I was wrong for saying what I did. I’m getting the chills right now saying it, but all said and done, it was a great performance by me and I hope we can be cool in the future.”
Johnson spoke afterwards with UFC.com and told them that he was feeling good following the fight and that he was ready to get right back in there.
“I feel good, I wanted it to go five rounds but that’s what happens when you land big shots and your opponent can’t take them,” Johnson said. “I feel really good. I feel ready to get back into training and get the next victim outta the way.”
Johnson then described how the finish came about from his perspective and he almost seemed to be a little-taken aback by how quickly he finished the fight.
“He landed one shot, but I think he was really nervous,” Johnson said. “I think he went in there scared and I could see it in his eyes when we started. It always felt like I was two or three steps ahead of him. He left his head in there a little too long and I landed with my two punches. I didn’t think he was out with the first hook I hit him with, but like I said, I’m healthy, my shoulders are good and that’s the end result when I’m a healthy fighter.
“I had no idea what was going on,” he continued. “I hit him with one shot and went to follow up and all I saw was him fall. I missed a few of my follow up shots, but I wasn’t going to stop in that position and it was a good finish. I was going for the kill and I was going for blood. That’s what you gotta do in this division.”
Shortly after landing the knockout blows, Johnson appeared to stand over Poirier and shout an expletive at him as he down on the mat. Johnson then explained why he did that.
“I’ve known Dustin a long time and I felt disrespected to hear what he was saying to the press about me in his interviews,” Johnson said. “He said I walked out like I was a big shot and that I was nothing and that just rubbed me up the wrong way you know. I’ve been showing him the utmost respect in all my interviews so that right there was a proven point and you know he should’ve respected me more.
“I said some things after I knocked him out and I went and apologized to him. I know I’m better than that. Like I said it was an emotional thing and I like Dustin, he’s a good guy and I was wrong for saying what I did. I’m getting the chills right now saying it, but all said and done, it was a great performance by me and I hope we can be cool in the future.”