Johnson shakes off bad form with beautiful knockout over Poirier at UFC Hidalgo

Johnson (left) defeated Poirier (right) at UFC Hidalgo

Dustin poirier entered the octagon for the main fight of UFC Hidalgo as the favorite to face Michael Johnson. But the underdog was the one who showed up and with a beautiful knockout he put an end to the bad phase, won again after two losses and broke his rival's run of four victories.

Still on the main card, Roan Jucão fought a tough battle against Kenny Robertson in a split decision from the judges. In the preliminary program, the Paraíba native Antônio Carlos de Sapato submitted compatriot Leonardo Leleco in the 100% national duel.

Johnson shakes off bad form and wins by knockout

Johnson and Poirier entered the octagon looking for victory from the first second. The athletes exchanged good punches and Poirier landed a low kick. However, when he entered his rival's range of action, the trap was set.

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Johnson dodged his rival's attack and combined two right punches that took Poirier to the ground. Michael still connected three more punches until the referee interrupted the dispute and declared the knockout 95 seconds into the duel.

“I came here to show that I am a real threat. After the fight with the Nate diaz, I wanted to show that. It was a big blow. I have the fastest hands in this division. I want my next victim soon because I'm going for the title. I want to get into the Octagon right away and I want to fight in New York,” said Johnson, remembering his last defeat against Nate diaz

Jucão wins and recovers

It was painful, but Roan Jucão won again in the UFC. After being knocked out in February, the Brazilian fought a very even fight against Kenny Robertson. But after three rounds, he won the judges' split decision (29×28, 28×29, 30×27).

Jucão started the fight and soon tried to take him down, but it was Robertson who fell on top. However, the Brazilian quickly managed to get up. In the stand-up fight, however, the North American landed the best blows.

Roan, who dropped from the middleweight category (up to 84 kg.) to welterweight (up to 77 kg.), seems to have felt the weight cut and showed some wear and tear in the second round. Despite this, he landed a good blow in the exchange and then took the fight to the ground. However, when the Brazilian tried to pass the guard, he was swept and remained on the bottom for a long time. In the final minute, Jucão reversed his position again, mounted, but didn't have time to take advantage of the position.

In the third round, with the dispute open, the fight lost momentum. With the athletes quite worn out, the public booed. Without much action, the Brazilian landed the best blows of the session with a left cross, which he connected with and a round kick in the final seconds.

In the end, the judges scored Jucão's victory in a split decision (29×28, 28×29, 30×27).

UFC Hidalgo results:

MAIN CARD

Lightweight: Michael Johnson derrotou Dustin poirier by knockout at 1m35s of R1;

Average weight: Derek Brunson derrotou Uriah Hall by technical knockout at 1m14s of R1;

Lightweight: Evan dunham defeated Rick Glenn via unanimous decision (30x27, 30x27, 30x27)

Welterweight: Roan Jucão defeated Kenny Robertson via split decision (30x27, 28x29, 29x28)

Lightweight: Islam makhachev derrotou Chris Wade in the unanimous decision of the judges (29×28, 29×28, 29×28)

Featherweight: Chas Skelly submitted Maximo Blanco with a guillotine in 19 seconds of R1;

PRELIMINARY CARD

Featherweight: Gabriel Benítez submitted Sam Sicilia with a guillotine 1m20s from R2

Welterweight: Belal Muhammad | defeated Augusto Montaño by technical knockout at 4m19s of R3

Average weight: Antonio Shoe Guy finished Leonardo Leleco with a rear naked choke at 4m46s of R3;

José Alberto Quiñonez defeated Joey Gomez via unanimous decision (29×28, 30×27, 30×27)

Welterweight: Randy Brown submitted Erick Montaño with a guillotine 18s into R3

Bantamweight: Alejandro Pérez and Albert Morales drew (29×27, 28×28, 28×28)