Taylor Johnson says slowing things down brought a quickfire finish at Bellator 245

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Taylor Johnson took his Dana White’s Contender Series loss to Andre Muniz, slowed things down, and scored a quick-fire victory in his promotional debut at Bellator 245.

Johnson (6-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) lost out to now-UFC prospect Muniz at the UFC Apex in August 2019, missing out on a shot at a UFC contract. But a Bellator offer came a few months later and, after his planned debut at Bellator 243 fell through, he made his bow inside the “FightSphere” on Friday night, as he scored an eye-catching first-round submission win over highly touted welterweight prospect Ed Ruth (8-3 MMA, 8-3 BMMA).

Looking back on his performance, Johnson told reporters, including MMA Junkie, that his performance in the Contender Series taught him to stay calm and trust his skills ahead of his Bellator debut.

“The Contender Series loss was just me getting a little too excited, wanting to get that contract,” he explained. “Like my dad says, I went out there like I was killing snakes. I was just getting after it. This fight, I wanted to come out a little more reserved, and to pull out the ‘W’ in the first round, in the first couple of minutes, is a huge opportunity.”

Johnson admitted that he prefers to finish his fights with his fists, but he was elated to score his first career submission and make his grappling coaches proud.

“It feels great,” Johnson said. “There’s something about just putting the 4x4s up against somebody’s head that I really enjoy doing, but leg locks are also something I’m also really passionate about. I noticed they’re always there when someone tries to grapple me or take me down, so leg lock.

“Getting a first sub is great, especially a heel hook. I know my coaches down in San Diego and my jiu-jitsu coaches at ATT Portland are super-stoked about that.”

After securing such a big-name win in his debut, the ceiling looks sky-high for Johnson, who said he’s ready to be thrown in with anyone, irrespective of name or record.

“Absolutely,” Johnson said. “I don’t have a lot of fights. I’ve had dozens and dozens of guys all across the West Coast that weren’t interested in fighting me, so I’ve had a lot of fights fall through. To have that opportunity against Ed, I have the ability to beat anybody. I’ve just got to go out there and do it.

“I’ll fight anybody. I’ll knock you out or tap you, that’s the goal, so whoever they want to put in front of me, I’m down to get in.”