Michael Johnson got the nod by split decision tonight at UFC Fight Night 135 in a closely fought encounter with Andre Fili.
Round One:
Fili tries for an early head kick that just flashes over Johnson’s head. Johnson with a body punch. Now a left hand. There’s an eyepoke to Johnson and that forces a brief stoppage.
Leg kick for Johnson, then another. Head kick attempt from Fili again, but then Johnson fires back with punches. Johnson working the body with punches.
Body kick for Johnson. Head kick partially gets through from Fili. Again he tries for it and it’s blocked. Leg kick for Johnson. Body punch for him now.
Stumble off the head kick this time from Fili. Hard left hand for Johnson. Spinning kick misses from FIli. JOhnson with a leg kick. Fili with a head kick that’s blocked. Johnson tries one of his own and it’s blocked too.
Body kick for Johnson. Right hook for him. Body kick for Fili. Right hand for Fili and a kick from Johnson. Straight punch to the body for Johnson.
BLocked head kick attempt from Fili. Straight left connects for Johnson. Leg kick for him. Body kick for Fili.
Round two:
Straight left for Johnson. Fili with the head kick that’s blocked. Johnson steps in as Fili goes for the head kick and lands a short hook. Illegal groin kick from Johnson is accidental and forces a stoppage while Fili recovers.
Back to it and Johnson lands a left hand. Head kick attempt from him that’s blocked. Johnson almost catches a kick. Head kick and that one seemed a bit cleaner from Fili. Now he goes for the takedown and immediately latches onto Johnson’s back. Johnson stands with Fili still on him.
Fili trying to work his arm under Johnson’s chin. he’s bein very patient here, but eventually sinks it in tight and then drags him to the mat with it. It looks tight, but Johnson isn’t giving up easily and manages to escape the choke. Fili still in position to attack with the choke again though.
Final minute of the round and Johnson manages to spin out and end on top. He immediately starts blasting Fili’s body with punches. He knows he needs to get busy to get this round back. He lands some ground and pound punches, but then Fili works for a triangle choke and then switches to an armbar. Johnson breaks free and lands a few punches to end the round.
Round Three:
Fili back to that head kick twice early in the round and Johnson is still ready for it and blocks. Right hand for Fili and one in return from Johnson. Johnson with a leg kick.
Missed spinning kick from Fili. FIli works a takedown. Johnson on one knee and looking for the right moment to stand as Fili hovers over him. Johnson does manage to stand and breaks away.
Body kick for Fili. The head kick again from Fili is blocked yet again. He tries it again shortly after with the same result. Body kick from Fili.
leg kick for Fili, body punch from Johnson. Another body punch from Johnson and a leg kick. Johnson stuffs a takedown attempt.
More body work from Johnson and then tries to go for a couple of hooks. Back to the kick. Now a left hand from Johnson that snaps Fili’s head back.
Gloves block the latest Fili head kick. Left hand from Johnson. He stuffs a takedown and then presses FIli against the cage while looking for a takedown of his own.
Johnson almost getting Fili down, but he stays upright. Fili sprawls on top of him in the final seconds of the round and then scrambles back to his feet. BOth men still throwing as the final horns sounds.
Decision:
Another extremely close fight here and that’s shown by a split decision verdict, with Johnson just emerging with his hand raised (29-28 x2, 27-30).
