Michael Johnson experienced something all too familiar with him, a brilliant first round followed by a submission loss at the hands of Thiago Moises at UFC Jacksonville.
With Karl Roberson pulled from UFC Jacksonville after medical issues that arose following his weight cut, an opening had come upon the event’s main card. Promoted into the spot previously occupied by Roberson vs. Marvin Vettori was a lightweight scrap between Michael Johnson and Thiago Moises.
Johnson, a.k.a. “The Menace,” was a longtime UFC veteran looking to snap a two-fight skid. Moises was on the opposite end of his career, a Contender Series alum with just three UFC fights under his belt. With that in mind, Johnson looked like a considerable step up — but then, in his debut, Moises had faced Beneil Dariush.
Michael Johnson started with a quick three-punch combination, then stuffed a takedown from Thiago Moises emphatically. Johnson defended another takedown while popping Moises with single shots. He connected with a left straight down the pipe and was picking apart Moises. He dug to the body and mixed in a kick as well. Johnson landed several strikes to the body and Moises was feeling it, failing to get his back away from the cage and simply covering up. Johnson continued to batter Moises, who had nothing to offer his opponent on the feet. The round ended with a clinch against the cage initiated by Johnson.
Thiago Moises bullrushed for a single leg takedown out of the gate but got held up by Johnson. Moises held on, though, and dropped back to attack a heel hook. Johnson rolled but Moises was locked in. Johnson tapped, but the referee did not see it. Johnson tapped out again and yelled out, and the fight was stopped. A brilliant comeback by Moises after a very one-sided first round.
Gameplan 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗱. 📓
🇧🇷 @ThiagoMoisesMMA flawlessly grabs the RD2 submission.#UFCJAX ➡️ LIVE on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/cbOfLiLGpC
— UFC (@ufc) May 14, 2020
Thiago Moises def. Michael Johnson by Submission (Heel Hook) in Round 2 (0:25)
