LAS VEGAS – Evan Dunham retired from MMA in September 2018 following a knockout loss to Francisco Trinaldo. At that point, the veteran UFC lightweight said he was content with what he’d done in the sport and ready to walk away.
Just 19 months later, though, Dunham (18-8-1 MMA, 11-8-1 UFC) is back, and booked to fight Michael Johnson at UFC on ESPN+ 31 in April. What changed? According to Dunham, it ultimately came down to improved health.
“After my last fight I underwent some pretty gnarly shoulder surgery,” Dunham told MMA Junkie at a recent Dominance MMA media day event. “Pretty much within about a month of that I knew I wanted to fight again. It’s one of those things where I’ve done it for so long, I was a little jaded on the sport. Then I was forced to go through surgery, and it kind of made me realize how much I love the sport.”
Although the passion is there, it remains to be see if the results can be. Dunham brings a three-fight winless skid into the matchup with Johnson, which takes place April 25 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb., and streams on ESPN+.
The last time Dunham got his hand raised in a fight was in September 2016, when he topped Rick Glenn by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 94. Johnson (19-15 MMA, 11-11 UFC) is a dangerous opponent with even more octagon experience than Dunham, but that’s exactly the type of matchup that gets him excited.
“I’m lucky enough to get Michael Johnson coming up here pretty soon, and it’s a great fight for me to come back and really put on those entertaining fights that I used too,” Dunham said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
Dunham, 38, did not express whether the result of the fight with Johnson will determine his future beyond it, or whether he’ll keep going regardless. However, he did indicate that he will attempt to stick around as long as his love for the game continues.
“At the end of the day I love being in the gym, I love training and I love fighting,” Dunham said. “While I’m still able to do that, I’m going to do that.”
Evan Dunham explains return from retirement: 'I was a little jaded on the sport'
