# MJ Hopes Gaethje Returns the Favor and Run It Back **URL:** \ **Category:** UltimateGround\ **Created:** [December 16, 2024, 3:40am UTC](https://og.discourse.group/t/mj-hopes-gaethje-returns-the-favor-and-run-it-back/16527 "2024-12-16T03:40:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HongKongPhooey](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/og.discourse.group/hongkongphooey/32/130745_2.png) [@HongKongPhooey](https://og.discourse.group/u/HongKongPhooey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 3:40am UTC](https://og.discourse.group/t/mj-hopes-gaethje-returns-the-favor-and-run-it-back/16527/1 "2024-12-16T03:40:22Z")
> **[Michael Johnson Hopes Justin Gaethje Returns The Favor And Gives Him A...](https://www.mmamania.com/2024/12/15/24322013/michael-johnson-hopes-justin-gaethje-returns-the-favor-and-gives-rematch-i-gave-him-that-opportunity)** > > 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... ---
**Author:** ![HongKongPhooey](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/og.discourse.group/hongkongphooey/32/130745_2.png) [@HongKongPhooey](https://og.discourse.group/u/HongKongPhooey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 3:40am UTC](https://og.discourse.group/t/mj-hopes-gaethje-returns-the-favor-and-run-it-back/16527/2 "2024-12-16T03:40:40Z")
![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/uploads/og/original/3X/f/4/f45d78573e2733c45b81698cbcc88a659e1d7c07.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![HongKongPhooey](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/og.discourse.group/hongkongphooey/32/130745_2.png) [@HongKongPhooey](https://og.discourse.group/u/HongKongPhooey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 3:41am UTC](https://og.discourse.group/t/mj-hopes-gaethje-returns-the-favor-and-run-it-back/16527/3 "2024-12-16T03:41:27Z")
“The Menace” is pushing for an epic rematch. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight veteran **Michael Johnson** scored a ‘[knockout of the year](https://www.mmamania.com/2024/12/14/24321309/video-highlights-ufc-tampa-results-espn-johnson-knockout-azaitar)’ 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](https://www.mmamania.com/2024/12/14/24321309/video-highlights-ufc-tampa-results-espn-johnson-knockout-azaitar)). 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](https://www.mmamania.com/2017/7/8/15929542/tuf-25-finale-official-bonus-winners-justin-gaethje-michael-johnson-las-vegas-mma) ([watch highlights](https://www.mmamania.com/2017/7/8/15929778/tuf-25-finale-full-fight-video-highlights-michael-johnson-vs-justin-gaethje-las-vegas-mma)). While their careers went in two completely different directions, a [rematch between the two knockout artists would undoubtedly be entertaining.](https://www.mmamania.com/2017/7/10/15948728/michael-johnson-reacts-to-insane-fight-of-the-night-against-justin-gaethje-tuf-25-finale) It may not be next or happen in 2025, but the two Lightweights must run it back [before they call it a career.](https://www.mmamania.com/2024/9/17/24247031/justin-gaethje-says-one-more-bad-knockout-and-im-done) ---
**Author:** ![HongKongPhooey](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/og.discourse.group/hongkongphooey/32/130745_2.png) [@HongKongPhooey](https://og.discourse.group/u/HongKongPhooey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2024, 3:50am UTC](https://og.discourse.group/t/mj-hopes-gaethje-returns-the-favor-and-run-it-back/16527/4 "2024-12-16T03:50:05Z")
> **[Michael Johnson wants Justin Gaethje rematch after KO of Year contender at...](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/12/ufc-tampa-video-michael-johnson-wants-justin-gaethje-rematch)** > > Michael Johnson has spent nearly 40 percent of his life as a UFC fighter in a career with the promotion that’s about to hit 15 years.