The MMA Daily

A Lightweight contest kicks off the main card, as Michael Johnson takes on Jamie Mullarkey. Coming off his first victory since 2018, which also ended a four-fight skid, Johnson will look to keep the good times going. Closing in on twelve years with the promotion, Johnson will make the walk for the twenty-sixth time. Having fought the majority of those fights in the Lightweight division, with three more knockdowns, Johnson will tie Melvin Guillard for the most all-time in the Lightweight division at thirteen. Meanwhile, Mullarkey comes into this fight off a tough defeat to rising star Jalin Turner. The loss halted a two-fight win streak and put the Aussie under .500 in the UFC. Needing to get back on track, Mullarkey enters this fight knowing his positioning in the Lightweight division could take a severe blow with another loss.

Despite snapping the four-fight skid, I’m not ready to jump back in on Johnson. He’s still the same guy that dating back to 2015, has only won four of thirteen fights. The same guy who is a winning a fight, and then collapses at any point. A salty 20-17 professional record would suggest how volatile Johnson is. Against a well rounded finisher like Mullarkey, I don’t see things going well for Johnson. Of course if the Aussie decides to stand and trade, Johnson’s chances of winning improve. However, if Mullarkey resorts to wrestling, Johnson is 2-7 when taken down. And given his vulnerability to being submitted, one could expect Mullarkey to capitalize on that. Regardless though, Mullarkey is the better all around fighter and boast the durability and cardio that will outlast Johnson. So with that said, I predict Mullarkey to win via TKO.