Written by Derek Moody, September 17, 2016 at 11:57 p.m.
UFC Fight Night 94
Fight Night 94 could have been named Bad Blood based on the main and co main events. So much tension was built up heading into this event and it more than lived up to the hype. This card didn’t provide the most popular fighters but it provided some of the hungriest as the fighters gave the judges most of the night off.
There were seven finishes out of the 15 scheduled fights, while four came out of the six preliminary fights setting the tone for the night. The prelims were very active and entertaining while displaying young prospects looking to build a name for themselves. Fight Night 94 in Hidalgo was far more entertaining than some of the recent more promoted pay per view cards.
Dustin Poirier vs Michael Johnson
This fight showed many shades of deja vu from UFC 178 McGregor vs Poirier but without the hype. An abundance of trash talk in an attempt to shake each other proved similar to the past. McGregor said Poirier had lost the fight before they ever entered the ring and Johnson said the same this time around. Once again, it proved true as Poirier was stopped in the first round in similar fashion. He looked a bit too comfortable and a step to slow to catch up to Johnson’s lateral movement and hand speed.
Assuming Johnson lost, he still may have garnered a roster spot given his status within the rankings and organization. It’s rare but not impossible to keep a roster spot after losing three in a row. A few guys who’ve lost three and four in a row without being cut due to popularity are: Dan Henderson, Lorenz Larkin, Frank Mir, Matt Brown, Anthony Pettis, Gilbert Melendez etc.
It mainly depends on the fighters popularity because of revenue and stylistically what they can bring to the table for future endeavors. Exciting fighters usually will survive the cut before someone who’s known for lay and pray.
Johnson entered this event with his back against the wall because of the feared three losses and you’re out. With that pressure most fighters are willing to take chances they wouldn’t normally take in search of the finish.
It certainly paid off for Johnson in the sense that he secured his roster spot. Johnson went from the cutting block to title contention in less than two minutes of work. Johnson snapped Poirier’s four-fight winning streak since returning to lightweight.
Main Card
- Michael Johnson def. Dustin Poirier via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:35
- Derek Brunson def. Uriah Hall via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:41
- Evan Dunham def. Rick Glenn via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Roan Carneiro def. Kenny Robertson via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
- Islam Makhachev def. Chris Wade via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Chas Skelly def. Maximo Blanco via submission (d’arce choke) – Round 1, 0:19
Prelims
- Gabriel Benitez def. Sam Sicilia via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:20
- Belal Muhammad def. Augusto Montano via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:19
- Antonio Carlos Junior def. Leonardo Augusto Leleco via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:46
- Jose Quinonez def. Joey Gomez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Early Prelims
- Randy Brown def. Erick Montano via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 0:18
- Albert Morales vs. Alejandro Perez ruled majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
Performance Bonuses:
- Michael Johnson ($50K)
- Chas Skelly ($50K)
Fight of the Night Bonus:
- Evan Dunham vs Rick Glen ($50K each)