UFC Vegas 18 featured a lightweight clash between veterans and one of them was perhaps fighting for his job. Clay Guida (35-20) and Michael Johnson (19-16) went head-to-head on the main card tonight.
Michael Johnson has had a UFC career that just doesn’t make much sense. On one hand, just take a look at his overall record. However, on the other hand, he’s defeated the likes of Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson, and Edson Barboza.
You truly never know which Michael Johnson is going to show up. Johnson was carrying a three-fight losing streak into the octagon at UFC Vegas 18. If he was to lose to Clay Guida, he might not be making that walk again.
Clay Guida has been with the UFC since 2006. He’s had some extremely memorable moments inside the octagon and his toughness can never be questioned. He usually brings a tornado of activity and he was expected to push Johnson in this one.
UFC Vegas 18 Recap
Round 1
The UFC Vegas 18 lightweight contest kicked off and Guida refused to touch gloves. Johnson opened the striking with a nice clean jab. Guida started his striking with a couple of nice calf kicks.
Johnson lands back to back 1-2’s that seemed to stagger Guida momentarily. The striking of Johnson was looking good, but Guida landed a big right hand that hurt Michael Johnson. A couple of additional right hands from Guida landed big on the left eye of Michael Johnson.
Guida worked Johnson against the fence and landed a takedown. Johnson was able to work his way up with two minutes left in the round. During one of the exchanges, Johnson opened up a big cut on the forehead of Guida.
A big knee up the middle lands for Johnson. Guida forces the clinch, but Johnson was able to push him against the fence. A good knee to the body lands for Guida. After a separation, both men traded hooks. Another big overhand for Guida lands, but Johnson countered with a clean 1-2.
Johnson was pressuring Guida late in the round and he was throwing heat. Another looping right lands for Guida as the round comes to a close. Good action from both men, but I believe it’s 1-0 Guida at UFC Vegas 18.
Round 2
Both men went right back to work in the second at UFC Vegas 18. Guida was moving forward with pressure, but Johnson was landing some crisp counters. However, Guida shot in and landed a nice takedown on Johnson.
Johnson was able to work his way up to his feet, but Guida kept him against the fence. Two minutes into the round and Guida pressed for another takedown. However, Johnson was defending well.
Johnson was able to escape and get back to striking. However, it wasn’t there for long as Guida pressed Johnson right back to the fence. After the two separated, Guida immediately shot back in for a takedown. Johnson was able to reverse the position this time and push Guida against the fence.
One minute left in the round and they separated again. Guida moves forward and lands a clean right. After some brief striking exchanges, Guida again pushed Johnson against the fence. I think it’s 2-0 Guida after two at UFC Vegas 18.
Round 3
Johnson appeared to need a finish entering the final round to avoid his fourth straight UFC loss. Guida immediately opened the final frame with pressure. Johnson was throwing serious heat to open the round.
Guida landed a nice knee up the middle that backed Johnson off. Johnson then wobbled Guida with a couple of good shots which forced Guida to shoot for a takedown. Johnson was able to defend, but Guida kept the pressure against the fence.
Halfway through the round and Guida was able to get Johnson down. Michael Johnson was looking incredibly frustrated along the fence. However, he started to get up with two minutes left. Guida was able to transition to the back and he locked in a rear-naked choke.
Johnson was doing a good job of defending the hands and he was able to get out of the choke. However, Guida was still locked on his back. The final bell sounds and it was a dominant third round for Clay Guida. Should be a shutout on the cards at UFC Vegas 18 for The Carpenter.
Clay Guida def. Michael Johnson by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)