“The Menace” is pushing for an epic rematch.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight veteran Michael Johnson scored a ‘knockout of the year’ candidate at UFC Tampa last night (Sat., Dec. 14, 2024) when he brutally slept Ottman Azaitar in the second round from inside Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla (watch highlights).
After his nasty knockout, Johnson was asked during his post-fight interview with the media if he had any names he’d like to fight next, but “The Menace” didn’t have any.
However, there is one person he’d like to run it back with if given the chance.
“Yeah, the Justin Gaethje fight is the one I want. I think everybody would love a Johnson vs. Gaethje 2,” Johnson said. “I gave him that opportunity when he came over when nobody else wanted to. So, I think he should go ahead and give that back, but we need to run it. I know he knows he got away from that one.”
It has been seven years since Johnson and Gaethje went to war in their two-round Fight of the Year (watch highlights). While their careers went in two completely different directions, a rematch between the two knockout artists would undoubtedly be entertaining.
It may not be next or happen in 2025, but the two Lightweights must run it back before they call it a career.