UFC lightweight prospect Daniel Zellhuber suffered the biggest upset loss of the night at UFC 318.
Dustin Poirier‘s former rival Michael Johnson turned back the clock with a stunning UFC 318 main card upset of Daniel Zellhuber. Johnson, 39, won his third consecutive fight while holding a distinct speed advantage against the bigger Zellhuber.
It was a stunning setback for Zellhuber after rising to stardom following a ‘Fight of the Year’ frontrunner in his last fight at UFC 306. Zellhuber looked hesitant to pull the trigger against the veteran Johnson, relying on a kick-heavy approach throughout the three-round fight.
After falling to Johnson, Zellhuber’s UFC status might be on the line in his next fight.
Daniel Zellhuber promises he’ll be ‘best in the world’ despite huge setback at UFC 318
Zellhuber is one of many Dana White’s Contender Series alums to make a name for themselves in the UFC Octagon. Jamahal Hill, Sean O’Malley, and others have gone on to earn UFC championships after earning contracts on the annual series.
But Zellhuber aims to go a step further following his second consecutive loss at UFC 318.
In a recent post to his Instagram story, Zellhuber broke his social media silence after UFC 318.
“The goal doesn’t change. The beginning of this story may not be the happiest, but I promise you that I will be the best in the world, because I know all the work I put in every day,” Zellhuber said.
“I apologize to those who always support me; I will come back stronger and better. Thank you to those who stay with me, and also to those who get off the boat because they help me see who I need close by and who I don’t.
“All glory to God, who tells me I can give more and continues to tell me within me that this is what I should do with my life. We will come back better, thank you all.”
Zellhuber earned a UFC contract in 2021 on DWCS, before dropping his debut to Trey Ogden in Sept. 2022. He went on to win three consecutive fights over Lando Vannata, Francisco Prado, and Christos Giagos before his recent struggles.
Given Zellhuber’s 6’1″ frame, he could potentially make a weight class move following UFC 318. But as of this writing, Zellhuber hasn’t expressed any desire to move up to welterweight.
UFC star accused Max Holloway of ‘pulling back’ punches on Dustin Poirier
In the UFC 318 main event, Max Holloway defended his BMF title against Dustin Poirier in the latter’s retirement fight. But according to one former UFC champ, Holloway could’ve ended the fight early on but chose to take it easy on the retiring Poirier.
Aljamain Sterling accused Holloway of ‘pulling back’ punches after dropping Poirier twice in the first round. Poirier went on to nearly finish Holloway in Round 2 with punches and a guillotine choke attempt, but Holloway would go on to win the fight by unanimous decision.
According to Poirier, Holloway told him backstage that he was ‘out’ after getting dropped in Round 2. Poirier believed the fight was 2-2 heading into the fifth and final round, contrary to popular opinion.
Poirier retires as one of the greatest fighters to never win a lineal UFC title in the promotion’s history. As for Holloway, he could return later this year to defend his BMF belt as he nears a potential lightweight title shot.