Johnson wants Nurmagomedov after knocking out Poirier
After turning his career around this past Saturday, Michael Johnson wants to face the man he volunteered to fight over two years ago.
"The Menace" had Dustin Poirier seeing stars just 95 seconds into their headlining clash at UFC Fight Night 94. Having emphatically snapped a two-fight skid against a perennial contender, the upper echelon of the lightweight division is now Johnson's oyster. Given the division's still-unresolved title picture, the TUF 12 finalist sees himself facing its top-ranked contender next.
"It all points to Khabib (Nurmagomedov),” Johnson said on Monday, according to MMAjunkie's Steven Marrocco and Brian Garcia. “We’ve been playing back and forth about getting this fight going, and I think this is the time now, especially if they don’t give him the title shot. I know he wants to fight, and it’s been a while for him. You know I’m always down to scrap."
Johnson had reportedly offered his services at UFC 172 after Nate Diaz's contractual gripes with the promotion led him to bow out of a meeting with Nurmagomedov. The bout was never booked, nor did either fighter make the card.
They revived their mutual interest on fight night:
Michael Johnson says he wouldn't mind fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov in NYC. Sign me up for that one#UFCHidalgo
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) September 18, 2016
Funny because Khabib told me before the fight he wanted MJ next if he wins https://t.co/tBwu368MiL
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) September 18, 2016
Johnson has since stated that a spot on the UFC 205 card was preferred, but not imperative. The event will be the promotion's first in New York City.
However receptive to the idea, "The Eagle" most recently set his sights elsewhere, reigniting his campaign to challenge Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title at the November event on Tuesday.