UFC veteran and lightweight contender Michael Johnson is contemplating a move to the featherweight division. Johnson shared this in a recent UFC question and answer in The Netherlands. According to him, the reason for the potential switch is the desire to take on new competitors. The 31-year-old said he already faced the top fighters, the promotion's lightweight division has to offer.

It is true that Johnson fought some of the best lightweights in the UFC. However, in the last five times that he did, his hand was raised just once. The fighter from Springfield, Missouri, is currently in a slump, which began in August 2015 when he lost to Beneil Dariush via split decision.

Nate Diaz beat him four months later. Following a long break, Johnson bounced back in September of 2016 with a knockout victory over Dustin Poirier. Sadly after this, he was defeated by Khabib Nurmagomedov (November 2016) and Justin Gaethje (July 2017). Nurmagomedov submitted him with a kimura in the third round, while Gaethje only needed two rounds to score a technical knockout win.

Jose Aldo next

Johnson has an opponent in mind when he makes his debut at featherweight. He wants to collide with the first-ever champion of the division in the UFC, Jose Aldo. The Brazilian also holds the record for the longest championship reign at featherweight. Johnson is "hoping" the matchup with Aldo could happen in December and he is willing for it to take place in Brazil.

Aldo, Johnson on similar path

An Aldo versus Johnson match would be an excellent opportunity for both mixed martial artists to end their respective struggles. Similar to Johnson, Aldo is experiencing a slump. In December of 2015, he was knocked out by Conor McGregor in 13 seconds for the featherweight gold. It is the fastest title fight in UFC history.

On July 9, 2016, Aldo became a titleholder once again when he bested Frankie Edgar for the interim featherweight belt. Last November, the UFC stripped McGregor of the title and named him as the champ.

Unfortunately, Aldo's first title defense since reclaiming the UFC belt was unsuccessful. In June, he succumbed to the current king of the featherweights, Max Holloway.

It is uncertain at this point what is next for Aldo. There are rumors that he aims to retire from the sport and pursue a boxing career. A bout with Johnson in Brazil can be his swan song if it is true that he is interested in trying his luck in a different combat sport.
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