Two of the UFC’s most exciting lightweights are set to battle it out in The Big Easy.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that a matchup between Daniel Zellhuber and Michael Johnson is set for UFC 318, which takes place July 19 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Initial reports stated the fight was set for UFC 317, but that is not the case.
Zellhuber looks to bounce back from having his three-fight win streak snapped. In his most recent outing, Zellhuber dropped a split decision to Esteban Ribovics at UFC 306 this past September in one of the best fights of 2024. The 25-year-old now makes his sixth walk to the octagon.
Johnson makes his 31st UFC appearance, and does so with two straight wins, and victories in three of his past four. In his most recent outing, Johnson destroyed Ottman Azaitar with a brutal second-round knockout at UFC Tampa in December.
UFC 318 is headlined by a trilogy fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier for the BMF title.
Damon Martin contributed to this report.
