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#4 Michael Johnson vs. Stevie Ray (Lightweight)
Stevie Ray promised to be a stiff challenge for Michael Johnson's first fight back at the Lightweight division. Ray, however, needed a big win to get his career back on track as he had lost three of his last four fights.
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Round 1: Southpaw vs. Southpaw. Ray went for the low kicks. He changed levels and went for a takedown. Stuffed by Johnson. Another quick leg kick from Ray. Johnson connected with a 1-2, with the left particularly being good. A good right hook landed.
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Straight punches to the body of Ray. Patience was the name of the game for Ray as he picked his spots. Ray got in a nice 1-2 after an outside leg kick. Johnson kept targeting Ray's body with punches. He tried to jab his way through Ray's guard. Johnson connected with straight rights.
The frequency of strikes increased as both men exchanged leg kicks.
Round 2: Johnson increased the pace and pressed hard. He ate a leg kick and connected with a one-two. Johnson kept going for the jabs to the body and the face of Ray. Johnson could be setting up the overhand left with the rights to the body. Ray attempted a superman punch. Johnson with a leg kick. He followed it up with a three-piece but missed. Ray landed a solid straight left. Johnson connected with a left hook in the pocket.
Johnson got in a left leg kick. Ray changed levels but Johnson defended it well. Johnson tagged Ray with a few punches. He kept up the right jabs. Johnson went low to the body. Back to the jabs to the face. Leg kick right punch combo from Johnson. Johnson was landing the second and third strikes of his combinations. Ray answered with a low kick. Johnson landed wit a beautiful spinning kick. A cut opened up on Ray's face. The round came to a close with Ray trying to salvage something out of the round.
Round 3: Johnson wanted a big round and urged Ray to let his hands loose as they touched gloves. Johnson was highly technical with his combinations. Double jabs followed up with strikes from various angles from Johnson was what set both men apart. Johnson continued the body attacks.
Ray changed levels and took Johnson down. Ray unloaded with strikes from the side. Johnson covered up but was still in the fight. Ray got hold of Johnson's back and he attempted to put him in a rear-naked choke. Ray controlled Johnson well with the body triangle. He softened Johnson up with punches from the back. Ray didn't have enough room to stretch Johnson out as he had the cage behind him. Ray ditched the RNC, postured up and unleashed a barrage of massive strikes. Johnson covered up but the referee didn't end it as he was still defending. Ray put in the work and was awfully close from the getting the job done in the dying stages of the fight. He landed with some brutal elbows and hammer fists but Johnson somehow hung on until the final bell.
Result: Stevie Ray def. Michael Johnson via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Johnson was visibly frustrated with the official decision as he thought he had done enough to get the win. However, Ray's dominance in the third round may have given him the edge.
