Michael Johnson Prepared for 'Dog Fight' With Khabib Nurmagomedov
Michael Johnson Prepared for 'Dog Fight' With Khabib Nurmagomedov
UFC lightweight contender Michael Johnson is ready for the toughest test of his career against Khabib Nurmagomedov
Michael Johnson may only be a few weeks departed from one of the biggest wins over Dustin Poirier, but he already has his focus on knocking off Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Having only just ended a losing streak himself, Johnson faces a man who is currently on a winning run of 23 victories in a row. Speaking to Luke Thomas on SiriusXM yesterday, Johnson explained that only his best would get the job at UFC 205.
"I know I can't make any mistakes against Khabib. I know I'm going to have to be damn near flawless to beat a guy of his stature. That's what I'm going in there to do on November 12."
Johnson then explained how the fight came together on the day of the UFC 205 press conference two weeks ago, and he said it all start with a challenge he sent out to the Russian on Twitter.
"It happened pretty quick, it was within the next day maybe," Johnson said, recalling how long it took the UFC to contact him after he tweeted Nurmagomedov. "I was over in the middle east doing like a tour for the troops and supporting our armed forces. I saw the fight [Khabib vs. Alvarez] wasn't going to happen for Khabib, so of course I've been calling him out for a while and I wanted to fight on the New York card. The timing just kind of lined up perfectly so I got what I was looking for."
Sep 17, 2016; Hidalgo, TX, USA; Dustin Poirier (red gloves) gets knocked down by Michael Johnson (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sean Porkorny-USA TODAY Sports
The man from Blackzilians then said Nurmagomedov would be his toughest opponent to date, and their styles combined should make for an exciting fight for the fans.
"He's a great sambo guy and he's definitely the toughest competitor," Johnson said. "I'm going to fight definitely by far the hardest guy. His talent level is through the roof, but all that being said, we are going to prepare for a dog fight and we are both going to fight and look to get a victory.
"He's relentless with his takedowns. He lives and dies off them and he will just go for them. I think that's one thing I'm going to have to face that I've never faced before in any of my opponents. His wrestling is like my striking--it's what he lives and dies off of. He's relentless in it and I'm relentless in my striking and we are going to have two of the best styles going up against each other."
Johnson believes a win could potentially place him in the title mix, but that it would 100% depend on the result of the main event between Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.
"I think [a win] will put me in the number one contender spot," Johnson said. "If Tony Ferguson beats dos Anjos I've already beat Ferguson and he needs to get that rematch with me. Who knows? Who knows how that main event goes?
"If Conor wins then I'm pretty sure Conor and Nate will fight for their trilogy for that title. That will be the fight to make if he wins. That said, I don't think he is going to win so who knows where that puts me. Hopefully, it puts me in line for a title shot if Eddie gets the win."
Having only just ended a losing streak himself, Johnson faces a man who is currently on a winning run of 23 victories in a row. Speaking to Luke Thomas on SiriusXM yesterday, Johnson explained that only his best would get the job at UFC 205.
"I know I can't make any mistakes against Khabib. I know I'm going to have to be damn near flawless to beat a guy of his stature. That's what I'm going in there to do on November 12."
Johnson then explained how the fight came together on the day of the UFC 205 press conference two weeks ago, and he said it all start with a challenge he sent out to the Russian on Twitter.
"It happened pretty quick, it was within the next day maybe," Johnson said, recalling how long it took the UFC to contact him after he tweeted Nurmagomedov. "I was over in the middle east doing like a tour for the troops and supporting our armed forces. I saw the fight [Khabib vs. Alvarez] wasn't going to happen for Khabib, so of course I've been calling him out for a while and I wanted to fight on the New York card. The timing just kind of lined up perfectly so I got what I was looking for."
Sep 17, 2016; Hidalgo, TX, USA; Dustin Poirier (red gloves) gets knocked down by Michael Johnson (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sean Porkorny-USA TODAY Sports
The man from Blackzilians then said Nurmagomedov would be his toughest opponent to date, and their styles combined should make for an exciting fight for the fans.
"He's a great sambo guy and he's definitely the toughest competitor," Johnson said. "I'm going to fight definitely by far the hardest guy. His talent level is through the roof, but all that being said, we are going to prepare for a dog fight and we are both going to fight and look to get a victory.
"He's relentless with his takedowns. He lives and dies off them and he will just go for them. I think that's one thing I'm going to have to face that I've never faced before in any of my opponents. His wrestling is like my striking--it's what he lives and dies off of. He's relentless in it and I'm relentless in my striking and we are going to have two of the best styles going up against each other."
Johnson believes a win could potentially place him in the title mix, but that it would 100% depend on the result of the main event between Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.
"I think [a win] will put me in the number one contender spot," Johnson said. "If Tony Ferguson beats dos Anjos I've already beat Ferguson and he needs to get that rematch with me. Who knows? Who knows how that main event goes?
"If Conor wins then I'm pretty sure Conor and Nate will fight for their trilogy for that title. That will be the fight to make if he wins. That said, I don't think he is going to win so who knows where that puts me. Hopefully, it puts me in line for a title shot if Eddie gets the win."