The South Florida-based competitor has always been a tough out in the UFC, a rough night for anyone who has to fight him, win or lose. But he also came into his UFC Lincoln bout with Andre Fili with three straight losses and five of his last six.
But Johnson did what he does best, turning the fight into trench warfare, and this time he got the nod. The judges at Pinnacle Bank Arena gave Johnson a 30-28 and 29-28 to a 29-28 for Fili in a split decision.
“It felt really good to get here and get a tough win over a guy like Andre,” said Johnson, who won for the first time since dropping down to featherweight.