SGF's Michael Johnson to UFC, Dana White: "I deserve a spot" | Entertainment Springfield, MO (Sports, Live Music, Food, Arts, More)

SGF's Michael Johnson

When Michael Johnson first stepped into the cage for a fight, his coaches saw somebody they didn’t really recognize. He wore a scowl. He was intimidating. One Springfield Fight Club coach called him a “closet psycho”. In practice he was more reserved, but when he stepped in the cage, Johnson was a menace. Now, while advancing in Spike TV’s The Ultimate Fighter, the rest of the country is getting a full introduction to “The Menace”. “Ever since my first fight (the moniker) just kind of stuck with me,” Johnson said. “I (got in the cage) a different person than I was in the gym. When I’m in the gym I’m there to learn and get better. Nobody had seen that side of me.”

The taping of the show is complete, except for the final fight, which is live from Las Vegas. Johnson cannot talk about results (no spoiler alerts here), but said he’s “definitely happy” with the results. “Right now, I’m just training, not really having to work, getting ready for whatever comes up.” One thing not on the menu for a little while is not handing out menus. Not long ago, he was serving at the Cheddar’s, now he’s in the midst of career development. “I think everybody had a good feeling from me. I was able to quit my serving job,” he said, “trying to switch from the guy that’s waiting tables to a guy who could have a full-time career in the UFC.”

Michael Johnson Ultimate Fighter SGFs Michael Johnson to UFC, Dana White: I deserve a spot

Michael Johnson has quickly become a favorite on Season 12 of The Ultimate Fighter.

Though he’s only been in MMA training for four years, this was the third time he’s tried out for the Ultimate Fighter. The prior rejections were used as classes, he didn’t expect to make it then. Johnson said that they were preparation for when he would make the show. And it’s paying off. The judges rave about his potential and he appears to be the front runner of season 12. “It was a reason for me to step my game up,” he said. “They love my fighting style and ability. I’ve been working extremely hard for this, that work is getting shown off.”

The bulk of that work has taken place in the confines of Springfield Fight Club. About four years ago Johnson, a running back, left his scholarship at Central Methodist as a redshirt freshman. He found his way to SFC and focused on fighting. “I came down here (from St. Louis) to play football, and that didn’t really work out,” he said. He gives a lot of credit for his success to the place where he learned. “SFC is by far the best gym in the midwest. It’s a small gym, but there’s a bunch of great fighters. We’ve got great wrestlers, an incredible jiu jistu team, a great kickboxing team. Everybody makes each other better.”

His first fight on the show this season was a unanimous decision against Pablo Garza – a dominating performance. Somehow, in what was an elimination bout, Johnson’s nerves were silent. “I was completely relaxed, not necessarily nervous,” Johnson said, “just anxious to show (UFC president) Dana White and all the executives that I deserve a spot in the UFC.”

Johnson returned to SGF from Hollywood after wrapping up some taping for the show. Of course the format removes these fighters from their routine, so tempers flare and beefs can grow. But, for the most part there was peace. “Everybody got along in the house,” he said. “Personalities are going to clash, but when you put 14 fighters in a house and get alcohol involved … I was surprised to see how everybody reacts when they’re cut off from the outside world.”

He said we have to watch the show to see the drama unfold behind the scenes and in the cage.