This past Saturday at UFC Tampa, veteran lightweight contender Michael Johnson scored one of the most brutal KO wins of his career, searching Ottman Azaitar in round two.
Having made his UFC debut in 2010, Michael Johnson stands as one of the longest-tenured fighters still active on the roster.
Despite now being 38 years old, ‘The Menace’ seemingly hasn’t slowed down with his fight style or activity, finishing 2024 with two wins from two fights.
Michael Johnson wants a rematch with Justin Gaethje following UFC Tampa win
Following his emphatic second-round KO over Ottman Azaitar, Johnson was asked by Michael Bisping who he’d like to face next in the Octagon, however, he didn’t have a specific name at the time.
Despite that, having more time to think about it, in his post-fight press conference, the 38-year-old revealed that he would like a rematch against former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje.
The two first faced off in 2017 in what was Gaethje’s debut in the promotion. After an incredible two-round war, ‘The Highlight’ scored the second round KO with the fight later being awarded Fight of the Year.
“Yeah, the Justin Gaethje fight, that’s the one that I want, I think everyone would love a Gaethje Johnson 2,” he began to explain.
“I gave him that opportunity when he came over and nobody else wanted to so I think he should go ahead and give that back and we need to run (it again). I know he knows he got away from that one,” Johnson continued.
Although Johnson is 38 years old, he has claimed that he would like to continue fighting for eight to ten more years, meaning a rematch against Gaethje might not have to come next.
What could be next for Justin Gaethje?
It is unlikely that Gaethje’s next fight will come against Johnson considering how far apart they are in the lightweight rankings, with the 36-year-old still ranked inside the top 3 of the division.
Fellow former foe of Gaethje’s, Dustin Poirier, recently teased that his return to the Octagon is currently in talks, revealing that it will be the final fight of his career.
Poirier has previously revealed his desire to fight Gaethje in his home state with their first meeting having come in Gaethje’s backyard.
After Poirier promised ‘there will be blood’, the fans have speculated that it could be a rematch against ‘The Highlight’ considering Gaethje has also previously said he’s open to a rematch with ‘The Diamond’.
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