The UFC’s event in Hidalgo, Texas produced many explosive results including Michael Johnson’s first-round KO victory. It wasn’t a very stacked card, but there were plenty of exciting moments throughout the show. Here are some of the highlights:
Michael Johnson starches Dustin Poirier
In the main event we had lightweight gladiators Michael Johnson and Dustin Poirier square off. Both men are known scrappers who don’t hesitate to throw down with their opponents. Poirier had some sensational hype behind him after racking up four straight wins since moving to lightweight. Poirier was a top 10 contender at 145 lbs, but a first-round KO loss to Conor McGregor persuaded him to move up to 155. A win here against Johnson would have moved Poirier into title talks.
Unfortunately, a two-hook combination melted Poirier’s plans. Michael Johson appeared to be the sharper, quicker striker in the early going. He stayed light on his feet, countered Poirier’s forward pressure, and eventually pieced together a right-left hook combo to drop Poirier. Johnson wasted no time putting the finishing touches no his opponent, and even taunted Poirier after the finish. It was a classless act that Johnson has since apologized for.
Michael Johnson needed this victory to get back into the mix. In his last bout, Johnson was out-classed by Nate Diaz, and before that he was upset by Beneil Dariush via a controversial split decision. Johnson seemed to be hitting a plateau, but his performance Saturday makes me think he can make another run for the title.
Next for Michael Johnson?
Even though Johnson arguably should fight someone higher ranked than him, there aren’t many options. He doesn’t deserve a title shot against Eddie Alvarez, #2 Rafael dos Anjos is fighting #3 Tony Ferguson, Nate Diaz is holding out for Conor McGregor, and he has already beat Edson Barboza. #1 ranked Khabib Nurmagomedov is an interesting match up, but personally I’d like to see Nurmagomedov face #8 Michael Chiesa while Michael Johnson takes on #11 Will Brooks.
Derek Brunson blasts Uriah Hall
In the co-main event of UFC Fight Night, #10 middleweight Derek Brunson scored a first-round TKO over #9 Uriah Hall. Hall never got a chance to get going. A quick tie up was all that occured before Brunson pressed forward to land a swooping left hook. The punch dropped Hall, and referee Herb Dean intervened without giving Hall much time to recover. The stoppage was protested by many, but nevertheless Brunson got the victory.
Next for Derek Brunson?
While figuring out Michael Johnson’s next opponent might be a little difficult, I think Derek Brunson’s next opponent is easier to figure out.
Michael Bisping vs Dan Henderson, Chris Weidman vs Yoel Romero, Luke Rockhold vs Jacare Souza, Vitor Belfort vs Gegard Mousasi, and Tim Kennedy vs Rashad Evans are all middleweight bookings within the top 15.
I believe Robert Whittaker is the right pairing for Brunson. Whittaker has been out of action since his UFC 197 win over Rafael Natal, and should return later this year. Both men are also on five-fight win streaks. The only other two options for Brunson are Anderson Silva and Thales Leites. I think Whittaker is the most appealing match up.
Other results
Other standout performances also happened. For one, ranked lightweight contender Evan Dunham furthered his now 4-fight win streak. He did so by beating former WSOF champion Rick Glenn, who stepped in to replace Abel Trujillo on just a few weeks notice. Dunham put an absolute assault on Glenn as he beated him with strikes for 15-minutes. It was a rough debut for Glenn, but one where he really showed his toughness.
Russian prospect Islam Makhachev defeated the young, talented Chris Wade via decision. Makhachev now moves to 2-1 in the UFC while Wade will need to bounce back from his two straight losses.
In a Performance Of The Night winning bout, featherweight contender Chas Skelly submitted Maximo Blanco in just 19 seconds. Blanco attempted an early takedown, but Skelly snatched the neck in an anaconda and put the Venezuelan-native to sleep. Skelly moves to 5-2 in the UFC now as he bounces back from a decision loss to Darren Elkins.
Michael Johnson, Chas Skelly, and Evan Dunham all received $50,000 bonuses for their performances at UFC Fight Night: Hidalgo.
Thank you for reading, stay tuned for more MMA news and discussion!
