Michael Johnson still has more than enough firepower to make some noise in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight division.
The Ultimate Fighter Season 12 finalist defeated former Brave Combat Federation champion Ottman Azaitar on Saturday in the second round of the featured UFC Prelims on ESPN 63 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. I broke it with a punch. Azaitar (13-3, 2-3 UFC), competing for the first time since July 15, 2023, crashed and burned out with 2:03 to go in the second round.
A tepid first five minutes in which little happened gave way to a highlight-reel finish by one of the most veteran fighters in the UFC. Azaitar began a fierce fight in the center of the cage, disregarding his own safety. Johnson (23-19, 15-15 UFC) escaped danger and countered with a hard right hook. Azaitar was out before hitting the mat and took several more punches before referee Jason Herzog sealed off the scene.
Meanwhile, Bandog Fight Club star Joel Alvarez wiped out Drucker Klose with a flying knee and follow-up punches in the first round of their lightweight showdown. Klose (15-3-1, 9-3 UFC) was eliminated in the first round in 2 minutes, 48 seconds, ending his four-fight winning streak.
Alvarez (22-3, 7-2 UFC) withstood a takedown and several leg kicks, then displayed his full offensive skills. He staggered Klose with a slashing left cross, connected with a flying knee, and hit a guillotine against the fence. Realizing his opponent’s condition was deteriorating, Alvarez avoided the choke, choosing instead to finish the deal with a flurry of short punches.
All of Alvarez’s 22 professional wins were come-ons.
Further down the undercard, Dana White’s Contender Series alum Shaun Woodson punched away Fernando Padilla in the first round of their featherweight bout. Woodson (13-1-1, 7-1-1 UFC) ended the fight 4 minutes, 58 seconds into the first round with an exquisite volley followed by ground and pound.
Padilla (16-6, 2-2 UFC) applied intense pressure early on, but only put himself in danger. Woodson fired jabs and low kicks while effectively defending himself from counterattacks. Late in the first round, he unleashed a devastating flurry of punches — starting with a right uppercut and finishing with a left hook — that sent Padilla dazed to the canvas. Woodson gave chase, crouched over the fallen former Fury Fighting Championship titleholder and threw a series of unresponsive punches, prompting a stoppage in the fight.
Woodson, 32, is on a four-fight winning streak.
In the end, All Stars Training Center representative Felipe Lima defeated former Legacy Fighting Alliance champion Myles Johns by unanimous decision in a three-round featherweight showdown, defeating the superior speed and I asked for unwavering calm. All three judges gave the fight the same score, 30-27 (14-1, 2-0 UFC) for Lima, who is on a 14-fight winning streak.
Johns (15-3, 6-3 UFC) struggled to get into gear and grew more frustrated as time went on. Lima chipped away with relentless jabs, powerful leg kicks, and occasional aerial attacks. He threatened a finish in the third round, where he scored a takedown, moved backwards and finished with multiple rear-naked chokes. Johns survived, but the deficit he was facing by that time was too great to overcome.
With this loss, Johns’ winning streak ended at just two.
In other bouts, Miranda Maverick (15-5, 8-3 UFC) draws Jamie Lynn Hose (7-2, 2-2 UFC) to a 29-28 draw in three rounds of women’s flyweight. , won by unanimous decision. Scores from all three cageside judges. Davey Grant (17-7, 7-6 UFC) defeats Ramon Taveras (10-3, 1-1 UFC) in a three-round bantamweight bout, 29-28, 30-27, 30-27. Defeated by match. and Piera Rodriguez (10-2, 3-2 UFC) will take on previously undefeated Josefin Lindgren Knutsson (8-1, 2-1 UFC) in a three-round women’s strawweight matchup. He won by unanimous decision and accumulated a score of 30-27 in all matches. board.
