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Michael Johnson vs. Justin Gaethje announced for TUF: Redemption finale

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Khabib Nurmagomedov (red gloves) fights Michael Johnson (blue gloves) during UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Khabib Nurmagomedov (red gloves) fights Michael Johnson (blue gloves) during UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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It looks like the TUF: Redemption Finale has its main event.

Lightweight contenders Michael ‘The Menace’ Johnson and Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje will headline The Ultimate Fighter 25 finale on July 7 in Las Vegas. The event will be shown on FS1.

The fight was announced as part of the UFC Summer Kickoff press conference in Dallas on Friday, May 12.

Johnson (17-11) is looking to return to his winning ways after he’s fallen on hard times of late. He has lost three of his last four fights since climbing up the lightweight division. He was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov in the third round.

As the sixth-ranked fighter in the division, Johnson looks to change his fortune against an up-and-coming fighter. His last victory over Dustin Poirier  at UFC Fight Night 94 showed his first-round knockout ability with a Performance of the Night bonus. But with his recent submission loss, it shows Johnson still has work to do to become champion.

Gaethje (17-0) is undefeated as he enters his UFC debut matchup.  He’s won 14 of his bouts by knockout/TKO which is why he’s earned the nickname ‘The Highlight’. He’s an up-and-coming lightweight fighter who recently signed as a free agent from the World Series of Fighting.

In the WSOF, Gaethje has ran the lightweight division since 2013.  He won the lightweight title, headlining two main cards for the promotion. His undefeated streak is on the line at the TUF: Redemption Finale against Johnson. If fans don’t know who he is, they surely will after his bout with Johnson.

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If the press conference on Friday was any indication, then this fight should be one to not miss, as the banter back and forth was quite entertaining. This included Johnson saying that he wanted to end the UFC newcomer’s life.