Michael Johnson Has Wanted to Drop to Featherweight For a While

Michael Johnson revealed that his decision to drop to featherweight isn’t a new plan and that it’s “always been a thought” that he’s had. Johnson spoke with MMAjunkie about announcing the weight class move last week, calling out Jose Aldo and more. Highlights are below:

On moving to featherweight: “There’s always been a thought in my head to drop down. Regardless of how I was doing in this division, win or lose, that was kind of a plan of mine – to drop down to 145, test the waters. Come back up to 155, maybe, because I fought everybody in the top 10 of the 155. I fought numerous people. I just wanted to see new changes, new faces and to see how I react. It has nothing to do with the fact that I lost to Justin. Even if I would have won, 145 still would have been a thought in my mind.”

On when he wants to be down to featherweight by: “I was looking toward December, and November got brought up, so we’ll have to see. We’ll have to see everybody’s schedules and see where they can fit me in.”

On who he wants to face if he doesn’t get to fight Aldo: “The next toughest guy in line. I think that’s maybe detrimental to my career, maybe hurts it a little bit that I always go for the toughest fight. But my first fight at 145, Aldo is a former champ, he’s one of the best in the world – always been. So that’s one guy that I would love to fight. I’m not in this sport to fight the guy that’s OK. I want the toughest guy. I want everybody that says he can’t be beat.”

On the UFC being okay with his plan to drop to featherweight: “I think that (the UFC brass and I) have a really good relationship, because I put on good fights. Regardless of where it’s going to be, whatever night. So, fingers crossed, hopefully a big fight comes at 145. Because in order for me to make that drop, it has to be a big fight. It’s going to be quite a bit of weight for me.”