Michael Johnson (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Michael Johnson is booked to fight Artem Lobov tonight at UFC Moncton, but the featherweight still intends to face Khabib Nurmagomedov again at some juncture, and get a loss back from the lightweight champ.

Johnson faced Nurmagomedov back in 2016, and was eventually submitted by the vaunted grappler in round three. While speaking to the media in advance of UFC Moncton, Johnson had this to say about Nurmagomedov, and why a second bout would unfold differently (quote via MMA Junkie):

“I wasn’t comfortable in that fight, and I still hurt him,” Johnsonsaid. “I was thinking about his wrestling. But keep this in mind, and this is for sure: I will face Khabib again, and this time it’s going to be a different scenario. I’m working my way back up to that lightweight division because three of the top five guys I’ve beaten. It’s definitely on my mind, and he’s definitely back in my mind to get that fight again. So once I get done with my business at ’45, we’re going to be seeing him shortly.”

Nurmagomedov is coming off  a fourth round, submission win over Conor McGregor earlier this month at UFC 229.