Michael Johnson scored a huge knockout over Alan Patrick at UFC Vegas 54 and snapped a rough four-fight losing streak. The streak was a very strange one as it seemed like he was winning his fights before making mistakes that cost him.
The win over Alan Patrick was very important for Michael Johnson, not just in his UFC career, but in his personal life. He needed a big moment to help him out of a dark place.
“I’ve been through a lot in my life,” Johnson told reporters at the UFC on ESPN 36 post-fight press conference via MMAJunkie. “I’ve had a lot of big wins. I’ve had a lot of devastating losses, but that’s (the win over Patrick) probably one of the better moments in my life just because I was in such a dark hole. (I) went through so much to get to this point, a year and a half layoff, being broke, trying to figure out things. It feels good.”
It was tough for Michael Johnson as he was at the top of the UFC lightweight division and seemed very close to a title shot. Some tough losses along the way changed things and he had to ask himself if he really wanted to fight.
“When you’re almost at the top, or at the top, and almost there and then you’re just reduced to nothing, it feels terrible,” Johnson said. “It feels like shit. Especially being an athlete. We’re all considered alpha males and we’re the best of the best – and then you sit back and realize that you’re not the best of the best.
“You lost four in a row, something is going wrong. You end up being alone because your phone is not ringing enough, people are kind of turning their backs to you – which is a good thing, all the hangers just fall off themselves, so now you have time to focus on yourself and what do yo, but it’s great.
“Like I said, being broke, trying to figure out which way to go in life like, ‘Do I really still want to fight? Fuck yeah I still want to fight. I’m not giving this up.’ So it’s incredible to get out that hole.”
Michael Johnson knew his UFC career was on the line and he needed to do something big against Alan Patrick. The big knockout in the second round seemed to have done just that.
“Fuck, I was fighting for my life, forget the job,” Johnson said. “I need to make ends meet. I need to be successful. This is where I get my main paycheck. This is where I take care of myself and I can help my family and get through hard times. I definitely needed this to get back on track and get a little bit of weight off my shoulders. I wasn’t going to be satisfied with a decision win. I needed to put on a statement and show and prove to everybody that I still got it. I’m not going anywhere. Hey, I’m 35, but I’m just getting better.”
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