Michael Johnson Takes Out Dustin Poirier at UFC Hidalgo | MMAWeekly.com

Michael “The Menace” Johnson headed into Saturday’s UFC Fight Night Hidalgo main event against Dustin Poirier in desperate need of a win. He was coming off back-to-back losses and believed that he couldn’t’ afford to drop three in a row.

With his back against the wall, Johnson came up big, finishing Poirier by knockout in the opening round.

The two come from rival training camps in South Florida with Poirier representing American Top Team and Johnson training out of the Blackzilian gym. The two had a heated stare down during Friday’s weigh-in, and they didn’t touch gloves to start the fight on Saturday.

Johnson set the pace and was the more active fighter, but it was his speed that stood out most. Poirier threw a combination and Johnson countered with a right hand that penetrated Poirier’s defense. He followed up with a left hand that put Poirier down. Johnson pounced on Poirier and finished his wounded opponent with a few more shots 95 seconds into the fight.

RELATED > UFC Hidalgo: Poirier vs. Johnson Live Results and Fight Stats

“I’m just coming in here showing people that I’m serious in this division. Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz getting paid that money and they’re out here scrapping having a sparring match. I come to finish fights. I come for the kill. Pay me, baby,” said Johnson following the fight.

Johnson snapped a four-fight winning streak for Poirier and wants to be on the November 12 fight card at Madison Square Garden in New York against anyone in the 155-pound weight class.

“I say over and over again, I have the fastest hands in this division. I’m the most dangerous guy in this division. I’m willing to test anybody. Give me my next victim, anybody in this division. I’m coming for that title,” he said.

Follow MMAWeekly.com on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram