At UFC 318, multiple-time UFC veteran Michael Johnson threw his name into the mix to face BMF Champion Max Holloway, who recently made history by defeating Dustin Poirier. Holloway became the first fighter to defend the BMF title successfully after besting Poirier by unanimous decision in the event’s main fight.

Johnson, a lightweight who has faced several top fighters over his long career, secured an impressive unanimous decision win over Daniel Zellhuber on the UFC 318 card. After his victory, he openly stated he wants to challenge the division’s best, including Holloway.

I’ve been throwing the idea around: me and Max Holloway,

Johnson said during the UFC 318 post-fight press conference with Bloody Elbow and other media.

That’ll be a fun five round fight for me and him to do,

he added, showing optimism about the matchup.

Although currently unranked, Johnson, 39, rides a three-fight winning streak and has history with top contenders in the lightweight division. His desire to fight Holloway signals a possible exciting matchup ahead for UFC fans.

Michael Johnson’s past win over Dustin Poirier remains a defining moment

Johnson is credited with handing Poirier his first loss at lightweight in a 2016 UFC event in Hidalgo. The victory came through a stunning knockout just 95 seconds into the first round, an upset that dramatically paused Poirier’s rise.

Following that defeat, Poirier did not suffer another loss until his 2019 title bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Johnson’s win effectively ended Poirier’s four-fight win streak and delayed his trajectory toward a title shot.

This victory has only grown in significance over time, often cited as a career highlight for Johnson and a pivotal moment in Poirier’s journey.

Upcoming opportunities for Max Holloway and the lightweight division

Holloway, hailing from Hawaii, may soon face more challenges after his UFC 318 success. One notable potential matchup includes a rematch with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who handed Holloway the first knockout loss of his career at UFC 308.

With fighters like Michael Johnson aiming to face Holloway, the division appears poised for compelling contests that could shape title contention and rankings moving forward.

For Johnson, fighting Holloway would be a chance not only to test himself against one of the best but also to build on his momentum after a strong showing at UFC 318.