'Classless taunt' sours UFC headline fight

Michael Johnson has been heavily criticised after his knockout victory over Dustin Poirier during a UFC Fight Night event. Photo / Getty

MICHAEL Johnson knocked out Dustin Poirier in the first round of the headline fight at the UFC Fight Night in Hidalgo, Texas on Sunday (AEST).

He executed a perfect right-left combination that sent Poirier to the canvas then started laying into him with a flurry of punches on the ground before the fight was called off after less than two minutes.

Plenty admired Johnson's fast hands, but not everyone was as thrilled with his behaviour after he'd won.

He went over to have a quite word to his camp then celebrated in the Octagon by rubbing his thumb and fingers together - symbolising money. He then stood over his fallen opponent, who was being treated by medical staff, pointed at him as if to say, "Who do you think you are?" and then raised his arms in triumph.

He also appeared to yell something at Poirier while he was on the ground.

Wish some fighters had more class 🖓 Always a champ in my book @DustinPoirier @AmericanTopTeam #notcool #ufchidalgo

— Alex Chambers (@alexchambersmma) September 18, 2016

Michael Johnson with a Devastating KO win but a classless taunt over a fallen Dustin Poirer. Hate to see that after any fight. #UFCHidalgo

— Trevor Robb (@TrevorRobb_) September 18, 2016

Zero respect for people who act like Michael Johnson did after their fights (@ Michael bisping) #UFCHidalgo

— Kayla Cline (@kayla_cline5) September 18, 2016

"I say over and over again - I have the fastest hands in this division," Johnson said about the knockout.

"I'm the most dangerous guy in this division. I'm going to test anybody. Give me my next victim. Anybody in this division. I'm coming for that title."

Following the end of the fight, Johnson stood over Poirier and taunted the Louisiana native after the two competitors got into a heated exchange at the weigh-ins on Friday. Minutes after the bout ended, Johnson actually issued an apology to Poirier during the FS1 post fight show while admitting that his emotions got the best of him after the finish.

"I had to apologise to Dustin afterwards for what I did. It was an emotional week," Johnson said.

One statement Johnson doesn't regret was the tirade he aimed at Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz while taking shots at the fighters for what he called a glorified "sparring" session back at UFC 202 while he came out gunning for a knockout against Poirier on Saturday night.

Now Johnson is looking to get a big payday just like the millions McGregor and Diaz earned for their rematch back in August.

"I'm just coming in here just showing people that I'm serious in this division. Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz getting paid that money and they're out here scrapping and having a sparring match," Johnson shouted.

"I come to finish fights. I come for the kill. Pay me, baby, what's up?"

The win certainly made a huge statement for Johnson following back-to-back losses in his two previous fights as he climbs back up the top 10 rankings in the lightweight division. Johnson made it clear that in a perfect world he would book his next fight almost immediately as he targeted the UFC 205 show at Madison Square Garden in November.

"I want on that New York card," Johnson said.

"Anybody, let's go."