Michael Johnson is better positioned than most to name the greatest lightweight in UFC history.
'The Menace' has been competing in MMA's premier promotion since 2011 after earning a contract by reaching the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 12.
Since then, he has made the walk to the Octagon 29 times. Michael Johnson will do it again on Saturday night for a fight with 155-pound KO artist Ottman Azaitar at UFC Tampa.
“The Bulldozer” is a few steps below the level of competition Johnson faced at the height of his career, where he faced several top prospects who went on to achieve great things and become legends of the sport.
Michael Johnson (red gloves) reacts in the fight against Artem Lobov (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moncton Events Centre.
Michael Johnson names his toughest opponent
Michael Johnson's resume is chock full of top prospects and UFC icons.
The 38-year-old has scored high-profile victories over Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson and Edson Barboza.
Johnson has also shared the cage with Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje. They both beat him, but the American insists no one has given him a tougher fight than Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 205 in November 2016.
The 29-0 Russian told Johnson: 'You have to give up' as he slammed on the brakes after Conor McGregor's lightweight title victory over Eddie Alvarez.
Five years later, Johnson didn't hesitate when asked to name the toughest opponent of his career.
“It has to be Khabib,” Johnson said during a September 2021 interview with Helen Yee.
“It was tough. I took that fight on two or three weeks notice, which people really don't talk about, which is fine, but I just wasn't that prepared to fight someone of that caliber.
“I just saw the opportunity. I thought, 'Why not? It's a big risk with a big reward.”
“Of course I'm going to fight the best of the best in Madison Square Garden. That just intrigued me to fight it.
“It was definitely one of the toughest and I learned a lot from that fight.”
Who is the greatest of all time?
Despite being seriously impressed with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Michael Johnson stopped short of calling him the greatest of all time, a year after beating Justin Gaethje and retiring from the sport in 2020 with a perfect record.
Jon Jones tops his list after fighting longer and defeating UFC stars from three different generations at light heavyweight and heavyweight.
Johnson added when asked to name his GOAT: “It's really hard not to say Jon is at the top of the list.
“Just based on the champions he's beaten and everyone likes that. Khabib is definitely at the top of the list. I don't think I'd put him at the very top of the list just based on the quality of opponents he's beaten, Jon Jones.
“It's very tight between those two guys.”
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