I’ve fought Dustin Poirier, Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje

On By Littum

Michael Johnson is better placed than most to name the greatest lightweight in UFC history.

‘The Menace’ has competed in MMA’s premier promotion since 2011 after earning a contract by making it all the way to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 12.

Since then, he has made the trip to the Octagon 29 times. Michael Johnson will do it again for a fight with 155lb KO artist Ottman Azaitar at UFC Tampa on Saturday night.

‘The Bulldozer’ is a few steps below the level of competition Johnson faced at the peak of his career, where he faced numerous top contenders who have gone on to achieve great things and become legends of the sport.

Michael Johnson (red gloves) reacts during the fight against Artem Lobov (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at the Moncton Events Centre.
Michael Johnson (red gloves) reacts during the fight against Artem Lobov (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at the Moncton Events Centre.

Michael Johnson names his toughest opponent

Michael Johnson’s resume is filled with top contenders and UFC icons.

The 38-year-old boasts high-profile wins over Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson and Edson Barboza.

Johnson has also shared the cage with Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje. They both beat him, but the American insists that no one gave him a tougher fight than Khabib Nurmagomedov did at UFC 205 in November 2016.

The 29-0 Russian famously told Johnson, “You’ve got to give up” as he slammed the brakes on him on the undercard of Conor McGregor’s lightweight title win over Eddie Alvarez.

Five years later, Johnson did not hesitate when asked to name the toughest opponent of his career.

“It has to be Khabib,” Johnson said during a September 2021 interview with Helen Yee.

“It was rough. I took that fight on two or three weeks notice that people really don’t talk about, which is fine, but I just wasn’t that prepared to fight someone of that caliber.

“I just saw the opportunity. I thought, ‘Hell, why not? It’s a big risk with a big reward.’

“Obviously I want to fight the best of the best in Madison Square Garden. That just made me fight it.

“It was definitely one of the toughest and I learned a lot from that fight.”

Who is the greatest ever?

Despite being seriously impressed with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Michael Johnson stopped short of naming him the greatest of all time a year after he beat Justin Gaethje and retired from the sport with a perfect record in 2020.

Jon Jones tops his list after fighting for a long time and defeating UFC stars from three different generations at light heavyweight and heavyweight.

Asked to name his GED, Johnson added, “It’s really hard not to say that Jon is at the top of the list.

“Just based on the champions he’s beaten and everybody likes it. Khabib is definitely at the top of the list. I don’t think I’d give him the top of the list just based on the quality of opponents he’s beaten based on, Jon Jones.

“It’s very tight between the two guys.”

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