Michael Johnson wants to give Tony Ferguson an opportunity to avenge the first loss of his UFC career.
Nearly 11 years ago at UFC on FOX 3 in May 2022, Johnson (21-18 MMA, 13-14 UFC) earned a unanimous decision victory over Ferguson (25-8 MMA, 15-6 UFC) in a lightweight bout. Ferguson suffered a broken arm during the contest, but toughed it out until the end, despite not getting his hand raised.
From there, the pair splintered off in different career directions. Ferguson reeled off a 12-fight winning streak that saw him claim interim UFC gold, while Johnson had an up-and-down tenure that saw him score some high profile wins, but lose many notable fights, too.
Both men are now in the twilight of their respective careers, and Johnson thinks it’s time to run it back (via Twitter):
Yo @TonyFergusonXT not sure if you’re still in the big game, but if so and you want to come back to 55 I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself. or we can do it 170 also!! Let’s give the fans what they want!!!
— Michael Johnson (@Menace155) January 13, 2023
Yo @TonyFergusonXT not sure if you’re still in the big game, but if so and you want to come back to 55 I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself. or we can do it 170 also!! Let’s give the fans what they want!!!
Johnson, 36, is 2-1 in his past three fights and coming off a unanimous decision win over Marc Diakiese at UFC on ESPN 42. Ferguson, 38, meanwhile, is in a serious rough patch, having lost his past five contests, albeit to elite competition in Nate Diaz, Michael Chandler, Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.
“The Menace” is calling his shot for a rematch with “El Cucuy,” but it remains to be seen if the UFC brass and matchmakers agree.
Michael Johnson calls out Tony Ferguson for rematch: ‘A chance to redeem yourself’