Kajan Johnson (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

After speaking out against the UFC’s uniform deal with Reebok earlier this year, Kajan Johnson doesn’t believe it’s a coincidence he’s fighting on the Fight Pass prelims today at UFC 215.

Johnson will take on Adriano Martins at the Edmonton, Alberta, event, in the first bout on the card. The bout is the Canadian’s first, since he publicly criticized the Reebok uniform deal earlier this year, at the UFC’s Fighter Summit.

Johnson, who has won two straight fights, recently had this to say while discussing the fact he is the card’s opener (quote via MMA Fighting):

“When I saw that, I knew right away they were trying to send a message,” Johnson said. “You look all up and down the card, and see some of the guys who are placed higher and there’s no doubt they’re looking to put me in my place.”

“I’ve said stuff that need to be said,” Johnson added. “Someone needs to do it. I talk a lot, I’m not afraid to express myself and I don’t want to be the type of person who goes through life regretting the fact I didn’t stand up for myself. I might not be the guy who gets this over the finish line, but at least I’ve helped get the ball rolling.”

Martins, meanwhile, is coming off a split decision loss to Leonardo Santos, which snapped his three fight winning streak.