I guess he got tired of waiting for "The Eagle" to take flight.
Surging Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight contender Michael Johnson will take on fellow Ultimate Fighter (TUF) veteran Melvin Guillard on the upcoming UFC Fight Night 37 fight card, which is set to go down inside the O2 Arena in London, England, on March 8, 2014, via the promotion's new "Fight Pass" network.
UFC officials announced the switcheroo on Wednesday.
Guillard (31-12) was expected to throw hands opposite Ross Pearson in a rematch to settle their "No Contest" from last October; however, "The Real Deal" got real hurt and had to withdraw. Prior to that, "The Young Assassin" flattened Mac Danzig on FOX.
He's not the only one.
Johnson (14-8) squashed the notoriously rugged Gleison Tibau at the UFC 168 event just last month. His second-round stoppage over the Brazilian came roughly three months after "The Menace" outclassed Joe Lauzon at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston.
A win here could put him into the top 10 (he's currently No. 13).
UFC Fight Night 37 will feature a 205-pound showdown with serious title implications on the line as top light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson risks his spot in the pecking order against ruthless local striker Jimi Manuwa. In addition, the overseas event includes a flyweight face-off pitting Ian McCall opposite Brad Pickett.
For the current "Gustafsson vs. Manuwa" fight card and rumors click here.