Johnson nearly had a three-fight winning streak at featherweight before losing in the final minute against Josh Emmett back at UFC Philadelphia. That loss has been a catalyst to motivate “The Menace,” and Johnson knows that Saturday’s fight against Stevie Ray at UFC Singapore is going to dictate the direction of his career in 2020.
That’s why he expects to perform like the Michael Johnson that handed losses to Ferguson, Barboza and Poirier.
“Everything is riding on this fight for me,” Johnson said. “This has to start my run toward my title shot. I’m not getting any younger in this sport and there is so much talent coming into the organization and now I have to solidify my spot again.”
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Johnson is confident that spot will be at lightweight. He flirted with staying at featherweight, but the weight cut, along with his previous success at 155, prompted his move back up to the UFC’s most competitive division.
