5 biggest winners from UFC Fight Night: Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Last night’s UFC Fight Night event wasn’t filled with many fights that could impact title pictures. However, it looked to focus on clashes that were heavy in action – and in that sense, it delivered.
There were many big winners at UFC Fight Night: Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic. All of them will be hopeful of advancing up the ladder in their respective divisions.
Whether their wins last night put them directly into title contention is another thing entirely. However, it’s safe to say that for, now at least, the spotlight will shine on them.
On that note, here are the five biggest winners from UFC Fight Night: Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic:
#5. Michael Johnson – defeated Alan Patrick in a UFC lightweight bout
Last night was a huge one for longtime lightweight contender Michael Johnson. His back was against the wall, probably more than any other fighter competing on the card.
A part of the UFC roster since 2010, Johnson hadn’t actually won a bout inside the octagon since October 2018. He hadn’t picked up a finish since his knockout of Dustin Poirier in September 2016. More to the point, since that last win, he’d lost four fights in a row.
Essentially, if he had failed to beat Alan Patrick last night, he’d likely have been cut from his contract. At his age – 35 – success in a promotion like Bellator may well have been difficult to come by. However, Johnson not only beat Patrick, he knocked him silly and looked excellent while doing so.
Sure, the win won’t elevate ‘The Menace’ into the title contending spot he filled after he knocked out Poirier. However, it will definitely keep him afloat for the time being. If he can pull out a couple more big wins, who knows where he can go?
If nothing else, though, he has turned the corner. While he somehow didn’t pick up a $50L bonus for his efforts, he should still be considered one of last night’s biggest winners.