Sidelined by injury since December of 2015, lightweight contender Michael Johnson made an emphatic statement in his Saturday night return, knocking out Dustin Poirier in the first round of their UFC Fight Night main event at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.
And now he wants to make up for lost time.
“I have the fastest hands in this division, I’m the most dangerous guy in this division, I’m willing to test anybody,” the 30-year-old Johnson said after snapping Poirier’s four-fight winning streak. “Give me my next victim. I’m coming for that title.”
St. Louis’ Johnson was sharp from the outset, using his speed advantage to get in and out with his punches and open a cut under Poirier’s right eye. Moments later, Johnson ripped off a flush right-left that put Louisiana’s Poirier on the deck. “The Menace” moved in for the finish and got it, with a ferocious barrage of ground strikes bringing in referee Dan Miragliotta to stop the fight at the 1:35 mark of round one.
“I’m showing people that I’m serious in this division,” Johnson, who broke a two-fight losing streak, said. “I come to finish fights, I go for the kill.”
With the win, the No. 10-ranked Johnson ups his record to 18-10; the No. 7-ranked Poirier falls to 20-5.
