Coming into this fight as the biggest underdog at +500, 39-year-old Michael Johnson showed age means experience, putting on a solid performance and defeating Daniel Zellhuber to open the UFC 318 pay-per-view main card.
Both men had their moments in the opening round with their kind of strikes — Johnson landing powerful punches upstairs, while Zellhuber landed around the body with a kick-based offense.
Zellhuber had the speedier shots in the first round and tried to carry that momentum into the second round. Johnson, however, landed a right-left combo that dropped Zellhuber. Zellhuber tried to get back in it, but this proved to be the turning point of the battle.
Johnson focused on landing at Zellhuber’s body with his strikes during the third, and he came away with the unanimous decision.
Michael Johnson Bests Daniel Zellhuber In Experience vs. Youth Striking Battle
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Johnson entered tonight with four wins in his last six, most recently knocking out Ottman Azaiatar at UFC Tampa in December.
Zellhuber had won three straight but lost his most recent bout prior to tonight — dropping a split decision against Esteban Ribovics in 2024’s Fight of the Year at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306.
