Michael Johnson out at UFC on FOX 12, promotion seeks new opponent for Josh Thomson

A highly anticipated lightweight contest has been scrapped, as Michael Johnson (15-8 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has been forced to withdraw from a planned UFC on FOX 12 bout with Josh Thomson (20-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC).

MMAjunkie today confirmed with a source close to the promotion that injury has forced Johnson out of the bout and that UFC officials are currently seeking a new opponent for Thomson.

Featuring a welterweight shootout between Robbie Lawler and Matt Brown, UFC on FOX 12 takes place July 26 at SAP Center in San Jose. The main card airs on FOX following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Johnson vs. Thomson was expected to air on the evening’s network-televised main card.

Thomson is looking to return to the cage for the first time since a narrow (and controversial) loss to former UFC champion Benson Henderson in January. The 35-year-old ex-Strikeforce titleholder briefly considered retirement after the defeat, which moved him to 4-4 in his past eight fights, but opted to fight on.

He was looking to fight close to home against Johnson, a runner-up on “The Ultimate Fighter 12? who’s recently strung together a series of wins over high-profile opponents. Although the 27-year-old Blackzilian member began his UFC career with a 4-4 record, he’s since rebounded to defeat Joe Lauzon, Gleison Tibau and Melvin Guillard to move into title contention.

A timetable for Johnson’s return wasn’t immediately established.

For more on UFC on FOX 12, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.