While the light-heavyweight division takes centre stage in the main event Saturday at UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Saint Preux, a pair of lightweights meets in a pivotal matchup in the evening’s co-feature.
The Ultimate Fighter 12’s Michael Johnson locks horns with Kings MMA product Beneil Dariush in a matchup that could determine the next title contender in the UFC’s 155-pound division.
Johnson (16-8) gained notoriety competing on TUF 12 as a member of Georges St-Pierre’s team where he advanced to tournament finals. However, he lost to Jonathan Brookins at the finale and went a lacklustre 4-4 in his first eight UFC fights. But since his last loss – a submission setback to Reza Madadi in April 2013 – Johnson has looked like a completely different fighter, winning four in a row. He has dispatched the likes of Joe Lauzon, Gleison Tibau, Melvin Guillard and most recently Edson Barboza on his current win streak. The 29-year-old appears to have hit the prime of his career, but faces a stiff test in Dariush.
Dariush (11-1) entered the UFC in 2014 with an impressive 6-0 record including six finishes. He made quick work of Charlie Brenneman in his promotional debut, where he submitted the former NCAA Division 1 wrestler in the first round at UFC Fight Night 35. However, the Dariush hype train came to a screeching halt in his second UFC bout, as Ramsey Nijem knocked out the Iranian fighter in the first round at UFC Fight Night 39. Much like his opponent on Saturday, the 26-year-old turned things around winning four straight bouts including victories over Tony Martin, Carlos Diego Ferreira, Daron Cruickshank and most recently Jim Miller.
Physically both these fighters are identical in height and reach though Johnson has a clear edge in experience with twice as many pro fights as Dariush. Johnson should also have the edge in the standup department, which has evolved immensely in his last few bouts thanks to the help of Blackzilians striking coach Henry Hooft. Being a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Dariush will undoubtedly look to take this to the mat and earn his seventh career win by submission. Johnson’s career has been plagued by his questionable ground game where six of his eight career losses have been by submission. Conversely for Dariush, the only blemish on his record was the aforementioned knockout loss to Nijem over a year ago. This makes for a very interesting matchup stylistically.
With lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos slated to defend his title for the first time sometime later this year against Donald Cerrone, the next contender’s spot is up for grabs. While 155-pound fighters Tony Ferguson, Eddie Alvarez are coming off impressive wins and number No. 3-ranked lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov recovers from his latest injury, it’s no secret Saturday’s matchup could have title implications. Regardless of who wins this matchup, the fans will get their money’s worth as both lightweights look to make the jump from prospect to contender.