Michael Johnson showed he still packs a punch at UFC Tampa.
‘The Menace’ has suffered defeats to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Nate Diaz, and Justin Gaethje that suggest he was never going to be a top lightweight contender in the UFC.
However, his 42-fight resume is also littered with high-profile wins over Edson Barboza, Tony Ferguson, and Dustin Poirier, who he knocked out cold in September 2016.
Michael Johnson’s ability to beat anyone on his day has made him a favorite with fans, and Colby Covington, who headlined the event they both fought at on Saturday night.
Michael Johnson sleeps Ottman Azaitar
A video of Covington and Johnson interacting went viral ahead of UFC Tampa.
It shows the two men exchanging pleasantries before ‘Chaos’ walks away and explains to the camera that Johnson is his favorite fighter after knocking out Poirier.
Covington said: “Michael Johnson is a legend. He’s my favorite fighter, he knocked f***ing Dustin Poirier out f***ing cold.”
Johnson dropped Poirier with a big right hand when they fought, and he used the same punch to score a faceplant knockout win over Ottman Azaitar in his 30th UFC fight.
The sickening shot earned Covington’s favorite fighter a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus – but the former interim welterweight champion was not able to get the job done in the main event.
Covington suffered a third-round doctor’s stoppage defeat after a cut opened up by Joaquin Buckley was deemed so bad the fight could not continue. UFC boss Dana White disagreed with the stoppage and insisted the fight would’ve been allowed to carry on if it had taken place in Las Vegas.
Michael Johnson used to score points in UFC feud
Covington was not the only one using Johnson to take shots at Poirier this week. Michael Chandler also reminded ‘The Diamond’ of his famous lightweight debut defeat.
‘Iron Mike’ went on a Twitter spree after watching Johnson KO Azaitar. Chandler initially focused on praising his friend by tweeting: “My man @Menace155 has the best right hook in the world. In all of MMA. Dude’s still got it!”
He added alongside footage of the UFC Tampa KO: “Best right hook in UFC history. #changemymind.”
It was his third tweet that showed he is still willing to take a jab at his old rival Poirier. The 38-year-old shared a video of Johnson knocking out Poirier, with the caption: “Best right hook in UFC HISTORY. Never forget this one.”
Poirier choked out Chandler when they fought at UFC 281 in November 2022. The former interim lightweight champion was quick to remind him of that when he responded to the social media troll attempt.
Poirier wrote: “Remember when I beat you’re a**? You are 2-4 in the UFC Muscle Milk Mike.”
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