UFC on ESPN 36 video: Michael Johnson ends four-fight skid with brutal KO of Alan Patrick

Michael Johnson ended his four-fight losing skid in highlight-reel fashion at UFC on ESPN 36.

[autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag] ended his four-fight skid in highlight-reel fashion Saturday at the expense of [autotag]Alan Patrick[/autotag].

Johnson (20-17 MMA, 12-13 UFC), a lightweight veteran who has all kinds of notable wins on his resume in addition to puzzling losses, bounced back from a rough patch at UFC on ESPN 36 when he shut the lights out on Patrick (15-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

After a first round in which both men hurt each other with punches, Johnson came out in the second frame and picked up the pace. He started to discourage his opponent with his shots, then a beautiful four-strike combination dropped Patrick. Johnson dove into the guard to put an exclamation point on the knockout, marking his first win since October 2018.

Check out the replay of Johnson’s finish below (via Twitter):

Johnson didn’t want to say much in the aftermath of his win. He said he thinks he’s still among the best strikers in the world at 155 pounds, and at 35, still seems to see an opportunity to make another climb up the rankings.

“The journey was rough, rough and tough,” Johnson said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “I was in a dark place and a dark hole. I saw some light and I got out of that dark hole.”

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Photos: UFC on ESPN 36 weigh-ins and faceoffs

Check out these photos of the UFC on ESPN 36 official weigh-ins and faceoffs in Las Vegas.

Check out these photos of the UFC on ESPN 36 official weigh-ins and faceoffs at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. (Photos by Ken Hathaway, MMA Junkie)

UFC Fight Night 189 medical suspensions: Alan Patrick facing up to six months after eye poke

Alan Patrick could be looking at 180 days on the sidelines after getting poked in the eye at UFC Fight Night 189.

[autotag]Alan Patrick[/autotag] could be looking at 180 days on the sidelines after getting poked in the eye at UFC Fight Night 189.

Patrick’s lightweight fight with [autotag]Mason Jones[/autotag] at the UFC Apex was ruled a no contest after an accidental eye poke rendered him unable to continue. Patrick must have doctor clearance for his left eye peri-orbital laceration before getting cleared to compete again.

On Wednesday, MMA Junkie acquired a full list of the UFC Fight Night 189 medical suspensions handed out by the Nevada Athletic Commission from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commission’s official record keeper.

Also potentially facing six months on the shelf is [autotag]Ilir Latifi[/autotag] who claimed he suffered multiple arm fractures in his split decision win over [autotag]Tanner Boser[/autotag]. Latifi needs doctor clearance for his left eye hyphema and must have an MRI of his left elbow.

The third fighter also potentially benched for a while is [autotag]Sean Woodson[/autotag], who edged out [autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag] in the prelims. Woodson needs an X-ray of his left hand and an MRI of his left knee before getting cleared.

The full list of UFC Fight Night 189 medical suspensions includes:

UFC on ESPN+ 35 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Ed Herman top earner with $20k

UFC on ESPN+ 35 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 35 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $137,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN+ 35 took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streamed ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 35 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Ottman Azaitar[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Khama Worthy[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Ed Herman[/autotag]: $20,000
[autotag]Mike Rodriguez[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: $15,000
[autotag]Alan Patrick[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Kyle Nelson[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Julia Avila[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Sijara Eubanks[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Alexandr Romanov[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Roque Martinez[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Bryan Barberena[/autotag]: $10,000
[autotag]Anthony Ivy[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Sabina Mazo[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Justine Kish[/autotag]: $5,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $4,429,500
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $35,434,000

Bobby Green steps in for Rodrigo Vargas vs. Alan Patrick at UFC on ESPN+ 35

After losing his scheduled opponent for next week’s card, Alan Patrick has a new one.

After losing his scheduled opponent for next week’s card, [autotag]Alan Patrick[/autotag] has a new one.

Patrick (15-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) will take on short-notice replacement [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] (26-10-1 MMA, 7-5-1 UFC) after [autotag]Rodrigo Vargas[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) recently was removed from the lightweight fight. UFC officials announced the change Wednesday.

UFC on ESPN+ 35, headlined by Thiago Santos vs. Glover Teixeira in a key light heavyweight matchup, takes place Sept. 12 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

Green has back-to-back wins for the first time since an eight-fight winning streak in Strikeforce and the UFC from 2011-2014. After consecutive decision losses to Drakkar Klose and Franciso Trinaldo, Green has bounced back in the COVID-19 era with decision wins over Clay Guida in June and Lando Vannata a little more than a month ago. The Vannata win was a rematch from a split draw the two had at UFC 216 in 2017.

Patrick (15-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), a training partner of Ronaldo Souza, has not competed since October 2018. Patrick was scheduled to fight Frank Camacho on April 25, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was then booked to fight Marc Diakiese on July 15, but withdrew for unknown reasons.

Vargas (11-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) still was in search of his first UFC win. After losing a unanimous decision to Alex da Silva in August 2019, Vargas was disqualified due to an illegal knee in his second UFC outing against Brok Weaver. In 11 wins, Vargas has eight finishes. But now his quest for that first UFC victory is on hold.

With the addition, the Sept. 12 lineup includes:

  • Thiago Santos vs. Glover Teixeira
  • Angela Hill vs. Michelle Waterson
  • Andrea Lee vs. Roxanne Modafferi
  • Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
  • Bruno Silva vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
  • Frank Camacho vs. Brok Weaver
  • Kyle Nelson vs. Billy Quarantillo
  • Bryan Barberena vs. Anthony Ivy
  • Matt Frevola vs. Roosevelt Roberts
  • Bobby Green vs. Alan Patrick
  • John Allan vs. Ed Herman
  • Justine Kish vs. Sabina Mazo
  • Ottman Azaitar vs. Khama Worthy

Alan Patrick vs. Rodrigo Vargas in the works for UFC event on Sept. 12

A lightweight fight is being finalized for the UFC’s September 12 lineup.

The UFC’s September 12 lineup is filling up.

The latest addition to the event is a lightweight fight between [autotag]Alan Patrick[/autotag] and [autotag]Rodrigo Vargas[/autotag], which is close to being finalized.

Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the targeted booking Wednesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Patrick (15-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), a training partner of Ronaldo Souza, has not competed since October 2018. Patrick was scheduled to fight Frank Camacho on April 25, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was then booked to fight Marc Diakiese on July 15 but withdrew for unknown reasons.

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Vargas (11-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) is still in search of his first UFC win. After losing a unanimous decision to Alex da Silva in August 2019, Vargas was disqualified due to an illegal knee in his second UFC outing against Brok Weaver. In 11 wins, Vargas has eight finishes.

With the addition, the Sept. 12 lineup includes:

  • Thiago Santos vs. Glover Teixeira
  • Andrea Lee vs. Roxanne Modafferi
  • Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
  • Bruno Silva vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
  • Frank Camacho vs. Brok Weaver
  • Kyle Nelson vs. Billy Quarantillo
  • Bryan Barberena vs. Anthony Ivy
  • Matt Frevola vs. Roosevelt Roberts
  • Alan Patrick vs. Rodrigo Vargas

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With Alan Patrick out, UFC targets Rafael Fiziev vs. Marc Diakiese for July 18

Marc Diakiese has a new opponent for “Fight Island.”

[autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag] has a new opponent for July 18.

As quickly as his UFC “Fight Island” matchup against [autotag]Alan Patrick[/autotag] appeared, it was gone. Three days after news broke Diakiese (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) would be fighting, his opponent Patrick was replaced by [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag]. Reasons for Patrick’s withdrawal are unknown.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the targeted booking to MMA Junkie after an initial report from MMAPlay365. The person asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Fiziev (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is coming off of an ACL and MCL surgery underwent in November. Two fights into his promotional tenure, Fiziev is batting .500. In his UFC debut in April 2019, Fiziev was knocked out by Magomed Mustafaev. Six months later, Fiziev picked up his fist UFC victory with a unanimous decision win over Alex White.

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After losing three straight, Diakiese rebounded with back-to-back wins over Joseph Duffy and Lando Vannata. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling all international cards, Diakiese was scheduled to face newcomer and Cage Warriors lightweight champion Jai Herbert at the UFC’s March event in London.

The UFC event on July 18 takes place on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi – the second of four cards the promotion is holding there in the span of 15 days.

With the addition, the current July 18 lineup includes:

  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez – for vacant UFC flyweight title
  • Kelvin Gastelum vs. Jack Hermansson
  • Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Fiziev
  • Askar Askarov vs. Alexandre Pantoja
  • Roman Dolidze vs. Khadis Ibragimov
  • Carlos Felipe vs. Serghei Spivac
  • Davi Ramos vs. Arman Tsarukyan

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Marc Diakiese vs. Alan Patrick joins UFC’s July 18 lineup in Abu Dhabi

A lightweight bout between Marc Diakiese and Alan Patrick is the latest addition to the UFC’s July 18 card.

A lightweight bout is the latest addition to the UFC’s July 18 card.

[autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag] will face [autotag]Alan Patrick[/autotag] at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi – also known as “Fight Island.” Both men confirmed the matchup on their social media.

After losing three straight, Diakiese (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) rebounded with back-to-back wins over Joseph Duffy and Lando Vannata. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling all international cards, Diakiese was scheduled to face newcomer and Cage Warriors lightweight champion Jai Herbert at the UFC’s March event in London.

Patrick (15-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) hasn’t competed since October 2018, when he saw his three-fight winning streak snapped at the hands of Scott Holtzman at UFC 229.

With the addition, the current July 18 lineup includes:

  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez – for UFC flyweight title
  • Kelvin Gastelum vs. Jack Hermansson
  • Marc Diakiese vs. Alan Patrick
  • Askar Askarov vs. Alexandre Pantoja

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UFC on ESPN+ 31: Christos Giagos out, Frank Camacho in vs. Alan Patrick

Alan Patrick has a new foe at UFC Lincoln as he returns to the octagon for the first time since UFC 229.

Brazil’s [autotag]Alan Patrick[/autotag] has a new foe at UFC on ESPN+ 31.

The lightweight was originally scheduled to face Christos Giagos on April 25 in Lincoln. Neb. But an injury forced Grigos out of the fight, and Patrick will now instead face [autotag]Frank Camacho[/autotag].

MMA Junkie confirmed the booking after an initial Wednesday report by Combate.

Patrick (15-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has not competed since a knockout loss to Scott Holtzman at UFC 229. The loss snapped a three-fight winning streak.

Camacho (22-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC) has had his ups and down in the octagon. He’s looking to shake off a first-round submission loss to Beneil Dariush on Oct. 26 in his last outing.

The UFC has canceled all events through April 11 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Assuming the promotion is able to resume after April 11, UFC on ESPN+ 31 is scheduled to take place April 25 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb. The event will stream on ESPN+.

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With the addition, the UFC on ESPN+ 31 lineup now includes:

  • Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira
  • Cynthia Calvillo vs. Antonina Shevchenko
  • Evan Dunham vs. Michael Johnson
  • Anthony Rocco Martin vs. David Zawada
  • Shamil Gamzatov vs. Ovince Saint Preux
  • Ariane Carnelossi vs. Mackenzie Dern
  • Matt Frevola vs. Roosevelt Roberts
  • Raphael Pessoa vs. Alexander Romanov
  • Christos Giagos vs. Alan Patrick
  • Zak Cummings vs. Andrew Sanchez
  • Peter Barrett vs. Danny Henry
  • Billy Quarantillo vs. Gavin Tucker
  • Montel Jackson vs. Brett Johns

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Christos Giagos vs. Alan Patrick joins UFC Lincoln lineup

A lightweight bout between Christos Giagos and Alan Patrick is the latest addition to UFC Lincoln.

A lightweight bout is the latest addition to the UFC’s return to Nebraska.

[autotag]Christos Giagos[/autotag] (17-8 MMA, 3-4 UFC) takes on [autotag]Alan Patrick[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at the event. Both fighters confirmed the matchup on their Instagram accounts, but the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

The event, likely to be UFC on ESPN+ 30, takes place April 25 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.

Giagos is 2-2 since rejoining the UFC roster. After scoring back-to-back wins over Mizuto Hirota and Damir Hadzovic, Giagos suffered a unanimous decision loss to Drakkar Klose at UFC 241.

Patrick hasn’t competed since his third-round loss to Scott Holtzman at UFC 229 in October 2018. The loss snapped a three-fight winning streak for the Brazilian.

With the addition, the current UFC Lincoln lineup includes:

  • Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira
  • Evan Dunham vs. Michael Johnson
  • Anthony Rocco Martin vs. David Zawada
  • Zak Cummings vs. Andrew Sanchez
  • Cynthia Calvillo vs. Antonina Shevchenko
  • Ariane Carnelossi vs. Mackenzie Dern
  • Christos Giagos vs. Alan Patrick

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