Mike Johnston

Toronto

Staff Writer at Sportsnet Canada

Works @Sportsnet. Kindness is medicinal. I'd rather be talking about movies. INFP

Articles

Under the radar fighters to watch at UFC 316: Van, Pyfer heavy favourites

3 weeks ago | sportsnet.ca | Mike Johnston

The pair of title fights at the top of the UFC 316 lineup are naturally receiving most of the attention during fight week, but, unlike last weekend’s disastrous Fight Night event, this weekend’s card boasts plenty of depth and quality throughout the undercard and prelims.
Patchy Mix looks to jump the line, prove he's the best with debut at UFC 316

3 weeks ago | sportsnet.ca | Mike Johnston

The UFC’s bantamweight divisions are front and centre this week at UFC 316. The men’s 135-pound title is on the line in the headliner featuring a rematch between current champion Merab Dvalishvili and former champ Sean O'Malley, while Julianna Peña will look to defend the women’s 135-pound championship against two-time Olympic gold medallist judoka Kayla Harrison in the co-main event.
Blanchfield, Barber aim to break into UFC title picture with main event spotlight

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Mike Johnston

The UFC’s women’s flyweight division has been in the spotlight all throughout May and the month will conclude with two of the top young talents in the weight class going toe-to-toe at the UFC Apex this weekend. Top-five contenders Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber get the main event treatment Saturday in Las Vegas, and the winner, especially if they get their hand raised in impressive fashion, will be on the doorstep of title contention.
The Ultimate Fighter 33, Episode 1: Team selection and intense first bout

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Mike Johnston

The Ultimate Fighter: Team Cormier vs. Team Sonnen premiered Tuesday night with the debut episode of Season 33 of the UFC’s long-running reality competition series. The episode began with UFC president Dana White addressing the 16 competitors who’ll compete in two elimination-style tournaments — eight welterweights and eight flyweights, with the tourney winners being awarded a UFC contract.
Jared Gordon, Denise Gomes get huge knockouts in UFC Fight Night prelims

1 month ago | bvmsports.com | Mike Johnston

By Mike Johnston via Sportsnet.ca, Jared Gordon sent a message to the rest of the lightweight division as the veteran got back in the win column with a highlight first-round knockout victory Saturday in a featured preliminary bout at UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales. Gordon put Thiago Moisés to sleep with a perfect counter-right hand in the opening round of their 155-pound contest, rebounding from a controversial loss in his previous outing.
Jared Gordon, Denise Gomes get huge knockouts in UFC Fight Night prelims

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Mike Johnston

Jared Gordon sent a message to the rest of the lightweight division as the veteran got back in the win column with a highlight first-round knockout victory Saturday in a featured preliminary bout at UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales. Gordon put Thiago Moisés to sleep with a perfect counter-right hand in the opening round of their 155-pound contest, rebounding from a controversial loss in his previous outing.
Michael Morales has chance to break through in first UFC main event spot

1 month ago | bvmsports.com | Mike Johnston

The UFC's welterweight division will remain front and centre this weekend, mere days removed from a new champion being crowned. Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 this past weekend in Montreal to earn the gold strap, and while the new champ has his sights set on a blockbuster bout with Islam Makhachev later this year, the rest of the 170-pound contenders will in the meantime continue jockeying for position within the stacked and exciting division.
Michael Morales has chance to break through in first UFC main event spot

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Mike Johnston

The UFC’s welterweight division will remain front and centre this weekend, mere days removed from a new champion being crowned. Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 this past weekend in Montreal to earn the gold strap, and while the new champ has his sights set on a blockbuster bout with Islam Makhachev later this year, the rest of the 170-pound contenders will in the meantime continue jockeying for position within the stacked and exciting division.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France named UFC 317 co-main event

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Mike Johnston

A flyweight championship bout between the defending Alexandre Pantoja and No. 4 contender Kai Kara-France will serve as the co-main event at UFC 317 this summer for the organization’s annual International Fight Week. UFC president Dana White confirmed the 125-pound title fight Tuesday on social media while announcing a handful of other upcoming matchups.
Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira set for UFC 317; Makhachev vacating title

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Mike Johnston

Ilia Topuria will look to add a second UFC championship belt to his collection when he headlines UFC 317 this summer. The former undisputed featherweight champ is set to face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira for a vacant lightweight title during the organization’s annual International Fight Week in late June.