UFC: Michael Johnson Wants Nurmagomedov at UFC 170

With Gilbert Melendez out of his match with Khabib Nurmagomedov, the UFC still needs a replacement for Nurmagomedov.  Dana White said that he offered the fight to Nate Diaz amd he turned it down.  Diaz then took to Twitter and stated that he didn't turn down the fight. One person has volunteered to face Nurmagomedov and that person is UFC Lightweight Michael Johnson.

Johnson is coming off an impressive knockout victory over Gleison Tibau at UFC 168. This match would be an entertaining fight and I match that I would be okay with the UFC putting together despite my distaste for Twitter deciding future bouts in the UFC.  Both men are young up-and-comers who both put on exciting fights. Nurmagomedov deserves a top ten opponent but the UFC has been unable to get one for him so  a top 15 opponent isn't a complete loss. Michael Johnson wants a top contender for his next opponent and despite Nurmagomedov not being a huge name he is a top ten fighter.

Michael Johnson Wants a Fight with Nate Diaz

UFC Lightweight competitor Michael Johnson is coming off of an impressive KO win over UFC veteran Gleison Tibau at UFC 168 in December.  After his win he is looking to get a bout with former title challenger Nate Diaz.  Michael Johnson called out little brother Diaz by way of Twitter stating that he would love to fight Diaz.

This would be an awesome match up between two of the UFC's exciting 155 lb fighters.  A win over Diaz would make a huge statement for Johnson and help him get in the higher rankings in the UFC's Lightweight division.  For Nate Diaz it really isn't a great fight if he is looking to get back into the talk for another title shot.

Pettis Hoping to Get His Hands on Diaz

After his victory this past Saturday, Nate Diaz followed in his big brother's footprints as he pulled a where-you-at-Georges moment and called out Anthony Pettis saying that he and Gilbert Melendez were waiting.

Pettis then appeared on UFC Tonight this week stating that Diaz was impressive in his match and wants him to move back up the ladder so on that the two of them can face each other.

TUF 18 Finale Results

Main Card:

Nate Diaz def. Gray Maynard via first-
round TKO
Julianna Pena def. Jessica Rakoczy via
first-round TKO
Chris Holdsworth def. David Grant via
submission (rear-naked choke)
Jessamyn Duke def. Peggy Morgan via
unanimous decision
Raquel Pennington def. Roxanne
Modafferi via unanimous decision

Preliminary Card:

Akira Corassani def. Maximo Blanco
via disqualification (intentional foul)
Tom Niinimaki def. Rani Yaha via split
decision
Jared Rosholt def. Walt Harris via
unanimous decision
Sean Spencer def. Drew Dober via
unanimous decision
Joshua Sampo def. Ryan Benoit via
submission (rear-naked choke)

TUF 18 Finale Weigh-in Results

MAIN CARD:

Nate Diaz (156) vs. Gray Maynard (156)
Julianna Pena (134) vs. Jessica Rakoczy (132)
Davey Grant (135) vs. Chris Holdsworth (136)
Jessamyn Duke (135.5) vs. Peggy Morgan (136)
Roxanne Modafferi (134) vs. Raquel Pennington (135)

PRELIMINARY CARD:

Maximo Blanco (146) vs. Akira Corassani (146)
Tom Niinimaki (145) vs. Rani Yahya (145.5)
Walter Harris (244) vs. Jared Rosholt (240)
Drew Dober (170) vs. Sean Spencer (171)
Ryan Benoit (126) vs. Joshua Sampo (127.5)

Anthony Pettis Injured, Henderson Returns to the Octogon

With Anthony Pettis suffering with an injured knee, Anthony Pettis is being pulled out of his title fight with Josh Thomson at UFC on Fox 9.  That fight is being entirely pulled from that card and will instead be headlined by Demetrius Johnson versus Joseph Benavidez II.  Since that fight was originally scheduled to be the headlining fight for the TUF 18 finale, Nate Diaz's fight with Gray Maynard will be headlining the TUF 18 finale.  Also with Pettis out of his title fight, the UFC has decided to put Thomson in a fight with former UFC Lightweight Champion, Benson Henderson in January 2014. This will be Henderson's first fight since losing the title in late August. 

Former Title Challengers Fight Again

It has been announced that former UFC Lightweight title challengers, Nate Diaz and Gray Maynard will meet again at the Ultimate Fighter Finale.  The two gentlemen have both fought recent Lightweight Champions, Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson.  The two originally fought in the TUF house with Nate Diaz beating him in the semifinals and eventually winning the whole tournament.

They later fought in the UFC as the main event of a UFC Fight Night card with Gray Maynard winning a decision over Diaz.  Maynard is coming off of a loss to UFC Title contender T.J. Grant whikle Diaz is coming off of a loss to Josh Thomson.