Mike Johnston

Francis-Ngannou,-left,-faces-off-with-Philipe-Lins-as-Cain-Velasquez-watches-from-the-middle

Francis Ngannou retains lineal MMA heavyweight title with KO of Lins

Mike Johnston

@MikeyJ_MMA

Mike Johnston, known as “Mikey J” around the office, is a lifelong hockey and football fan who has been at Sportsnet since 2011. Johnston writes about a wide variety of sports and, despite his peaceful demeanour, has an extensive history covering the UFC and combat sports. The 1991 Toronto Argonauts are the greatest sports team of all time, and you will not convince Johnston otherwise.

Former-UFC-heavyweight-champion-Junior-Dos-Santos,-left,-stares-at-Olympic-taekwondo-bronze-medallist-Robelis-Despaigne-with-promoter-Jake-Paul-in-the-middle

MVP MMA 1 undercard: Despaigne brutally knocks out Junior dos Santos

To say the undercard at Saturday's MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano event was an eclectic mix of notable names from around the combat sports world would be an understatement.

Arnold Allen in gatekeeper role vs. Melquizael Costa at UFC Fight Night

Sean-Strickland-reacts-to-a-UFC-victory-in-the-middleweight-division

Sportsmanship prevails: Strickland apologetic, respectful after UFC 328

To the surprise of many, including UFC president Dana White, middleweight rivals Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev embraced in a moment of sportsmanship after their back-and-forth title fight at UFC 328. Sportsnet's Mike Johnston explains how it happened.

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Brady drubs Buckley after drastic UFC 328 pre-fight betting odds swing

Sean Brady returned to the win column in a major way at UFC 328.

Jim Miller gets emotional UFC 328 win at home; Amosov makes statement

Josh-Hokit-and-Ilia-Topuria-yell-at-each-other-at-a-UFC-press-conference-while-being-separated-by-security.

Ilia Topuria confronts Josh Hokit at UFC Freedom 250 press conference

Josh Hokit once again stole the show at a UFC press conference but on Friday Ilia Topuria didn't appreciate some of the disrespectful remarks Hokit made about Alex Pereira.

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UFC 328 weigh-in results: Miller hits mark for 47th time; Stephens misses

Unlike Thursday's UFC 328 press conference, there were no insults hurled or kicks thrown at Friday's official weigh-in as Khamzat Chimaev, Sean Strickland and all other fighters stepped on the scale.

Chimaev kicks Strickland following vitriolic UFC 328 press conference

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Chimaev's takedowns the biggest obstacle for Strickland at UFC 328

While most of the talk around UFC 328 has revolved around animosity between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, that shouldn’t be much of a factor once the cage door locks. Sportsnet's Mike Johnston explains why takedowns will be key to the bout.