Michael Johnson open to fight with Zabit Magomedsharipov

There are not a lot of featherweights out there who are openly calling for a fight with dangerous Russian contender Zabit Magomedsharipov. Michael Johnson, however, is all for the matchup.

“If he wants to fight in December I’m all for that,” Michael Johnson told MMAjunkie Radio this week (transcript via MMAjunkie). “He’s a very tough guy, he’s up and coming and it’d be a great fight as well. He’s ranked. None of those guys did call him out and I don’t think anybody really has called him out. I’m not necessarily going on air calling him out, but I’m saying that’s a fight I would take of course.”

While Johnson is open to a fight with Magomedsharipov, his priority at present is just staying active. He’s riding a short-notice win over another high-profile Russian in Artem Lobov, and would like to keep that momentum going.

“I’m just trying to stay active at this point,” he said. “I’m staying in the training room and trying to get better myself and get busy. At the end of the day we’re fighters. That’s what we do. We’re not trainers and guys who just can train all day. We’re fighters, so the more I can fight, the better position I’ll be in physically and mentally.”

Michael Johnson would definitely make an interesting opponent for the streaking Zabit Magomedsharipov, but he might not be at the top of the Russian’s list. Magomedsharipov has been vocal about his desire for a fight with a Yair Rodriguez, and after Rodriguez’s stunning win over Chan Sung Jung last weekend, he’s chasing the fight with renewed fervor. 

“Will he ever call my name?? Or should I move on??” Magomedsharipov said in a Tweet directed at UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby and UFC President Dana White.

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This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 11/13/2018.