Michael Johnson
Active 2012–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 81.0
Scouting report
A first-round knockout of Dustin Poirier alongside a win over Edson Barboza showed that Michael "The Menace" Johnson could out-strike the elite of the division. A scheduled bout with Tony Ferguson was canceled and the two never fought. Born in St. Louis, Missouri and training with Henri Hooft, Johnson's hand speed is backed by an 88 Boxing rating and 86 Cardio.
Peak ratings
By edition
Johnson won two fights across 2014 and early 2015, defeating Melvin Guillard in London, beating Edson Barboza by unanimous decision in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and dropping a split decision to Beneil Dariush in Nashville. His hand speed, straight left punch, and takedown defense are reflected in an 88 Boxing and 86 Cardio score.
In September 2016 at UFC Fight Night 94 in Hidalgo, Johnson scored a first-round knockout of Dustin Poirier in just 95 seconds, before dropping a submission to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 205 and losing by second-round TKO to Justin Gaethje in Las Vegas in July 2017. His hand speed, power hooks, and offensive striking anchor his 88 Boxing and 82 Wrestling.
Johnson transitioned between featherweight and lightweight in 2018 and 2019, defeating Andre Fili by split decision in Lincoln and outpointing Artem Lobov in Moncton while dropping stoppage losses to Darren Elkins and Josh Emmett. His combinations, lateral footwork, and technical boxing exchanges are represented by an 86 Boxing and 84 Cardio score.
Michael Johnson, the Blackzilians boxer who beat Poirier
Michael Johnson, nicknamed The Menace, was a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter 12, where he lost the final to Jonathan Brookins, and he later fought out of the Blackzilians camp in Florida. His best run showed up when he knocked out Dustin Poirier in the first round and beat Edson Barboza by decision. He also beat Tony Ferguson on the scorecards in 2012, and a rematch booked for 2016 was called off when Johnson withdrew injured. Johnson is a fast, athletic boxer who can turn a fight around with one punch.
Johnson attribute by attribute
Boxing. His best skill. Fast hands and good timing on counters.
Kickboxing. Solid. He mixes kicks in but is mostly a boxer.
Wrestling. Decent at getting up and keeping the fight standing.
BJJ. His lowest number. He does not chase submissions and can be caught if he gets stuck on his back.
Strength. Middle of the pack for lightweight.
Durability. Decent. He has been stopped in a few fights, so it is not a strength.
Cardio. The second best number. He stays fast into the later rounds.
Fight IQ. Fair. He is a good fighter on the feet but can be baited into exchanges.
Boxing gives him the edge
At 88, his boxing is the trait that separates him from most other lightweights. That knockout of Dustin Poirier fits the number, since speed and timing did the work. If you can keep the fight standing, he has the tools to win exchanges with almost anyone in the pool.
His BJJ is the soft spot
At 70, BJJ is clearly the lowest number on his card. A grappler who can secure a takedown and hold position has a genuine route to a submission. Pair him with support in the wrestling area and this becomes less of a worry.
Keep exploring
Closest lightweight profiles to Michael Johnson, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Al Iaquintabest boxing 86 · weakest bjj 76
- Jeremy Stephensbest boxing 86 · weakest bjj 68
- Bobby Greenbest boxing 88 · weakest kickboxing 76
- Drew Doberbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 72
- Lightweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Michael Johnson's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Michael Johnson into your build
Michael Johnson enters the pool on any spin landing on lightweight between 2014 and 2019. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Michael Johnson is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Michael Johnson's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.