UFC continued their run of entertainment with UFC Vegas 54 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. An intriguing bout on the prelims saw veteran UFC fighter Michael Johnson return to the Octagon against Brazilian Alan Patrick.
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‘The Menace’ was looking to break the four-fight losing skid. On the other hand, the 38-year-old Patrick finally fought inside the Octagon after having a tough couple of years. Patrick only fought once in the past two years, and that one bout ended in a no contest.
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The 35-year-old, Johnson, looked in his grooves early in the fight as he rocked his counterpart with his fast & sharp hands. Though Patrick also caught him in the first round, Johnson showed how good his hands are when he knocked out Patrick in the second round with a vicious combination.
The win moved Johnson to 20-17, and he got his hand raised inside the Octagon after four years, with his last win coming over Conor McGregor‘s teammate Artem Lobov at UFC Fight Night 138.
Fans reacted to a crazy finish from Michael Johnson at UFC Vegas 54
Johnson’s performance had fans and fellow fighters go berserk as they submitted their candid reactions on Twitter.
You already know Michael Johnson would annihilate Islam Makhachev 👊🏻
— Ranbo 🇦🇺 (@RanboGG) May 15, 2022
Night night 🌙
— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) May 15, 2022
Wow 🤩 Let’s go MJ #UFCVegas54
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) May 15, 2022
Michael looked patient and poised listened to everything his corner said
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 15, 2022
So happy for my guy @Menace155 #UFCVegas54
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) May 15, 2022
Michael Johnson let’s go . Yes sir ! 👊🏾🔥
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) May 15, 2022
"Nasty, 4-punch combination." – @DominickCruz
I look forward to the post-fight interview, with @Menace155.
😎👊 #UFCVegas54— John (@enigmachine) May 15, 2022
Michael Johnson is the greatest worst fighter of all time
— cotydankh (@CotyMMA) May 15, 2022
Speaking of Michaels & chins. Congrats to Michael Johnson on his KO tonight. 1st KO since Sept. 17, 2016 – UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Johnson. Clean KO at 1:35 of the 1st rd in Hidalgo, TX. Michael earned a Performance of the Night Bonus. #chinhistory #ufcvegas54 @DustinPoirier https://t.co/jNhM5w8NNn
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) May 15, 2022
Not only did he return with a spectacular performance, but also hinted at a quick return for the UFC 276 card. Thus, it would be a treat for Johnson’s fans if he stays active inside the Octagon. Also, whether he could give it one last run towards the lightweight title would intrigue the fans.
What’s Michael Johnson’s legacy in the UFC?
‘The Menace‘ is one of those fighters who could shut the lights of the best of the fighters, however, he could lose to fighters that are relatively unknown as well.
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The ever-entertaining fighter has victories over two of the best lightweight fighters ever to step inside the UFC Octagon, Tony Ferguson (unanimous decision) and Dustin Poirier (KO/TKO). Also, he was one of the few fighters that left a mark on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s face and perhaps landed the most brutal shot to the head of Nurmagomedov.
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Even his strength of schedule in the UFC is legendary. Johnson fought all the tough fights in both the lightweight and featherweight division. However, his inconsistency would haunt him, as he had all the potential to get a UFC strap but could never achieve it.