LFA Bantamweight Champion Miles Johns Eagerly Anticipating UFC Call

.@LFAfighting returns to Dallas with #Bantamweight Title Fight at #LFA62!

Champion@MilesxJohns
vs.
Challenger@VinceTheAnomaly

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Friday, March 22@BombFactoryDFW#Dallas, #Texas

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— LFA (@LFAfighting) February 14, 2019

Miles Johns has his next fight booked for March 22, a defense of his Legacy Fighting Alliance bantamweight title against Vince Cachero. The 7-0 prospect appears to be on the verge of moving on the next stage of his career — it’s simply a matter of when that call comes.  


Although Johns is defending his title, the hope was that his next fight would be in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is confident a win in his upcoming bout gets him a spot on the Contender Series or a contract to the UFC. 

“Of course I’d love for my next fight to be in the UFC,” Johns told Sherdog.com. “Right now, everybody I fight is going to be a shark, especially in LFA. Those guys are so hungry and are so tough, so of course, I’d like a little more money to be fighting these guys. I will defend it and we will see how it goes. I’m really just trusting what my coach and manager say who is next. I just trust them with what steps to take in my career.”


That step in his career seems close as he has been in contact with the UFC. The promotion has expressed interest in the undefeated prospect, which is exciting for Johns. 


“Yeah, they have. coach Sayif has talked to the matchmaker, Sean Shelby,” he said. "They have talked about the Contender Series for sure, and I’m ready to make weight at any point. I know I should be one of the top guys if someone pulls out last minute. I know there has been some talk back and forth, but for the most part, I just leave that to coach. My job is just to be ready for whoever.”


Yet, Johns can’t be worried about the UFC. Rather, the champion needs to prepare for his fight. He knows a loss can set back his career and he wants to defend the title once before getting to fight in the UFC. However, to do so, Johns knows he has to improve after his last fight. 


“I’m just looking to evolve,” Johns explained. “Honestly, I’m not happy with my last performance, I don’t think I fought to nearly the level I can. There are some things I want to improve on, but I’m always working on everything. I would just say I’m looking to get better and be ahead of the game.”


Although the 24-year-old isn’t happy with his performance, to be a champion so young in a promotion as well respected as LFA is huge. However, for Johns, he always believes he can do more. 


“I like the title and the recognition that I’m getting but we knew this was just a step we needed to take to get to the big show,” he said. “It doesn’t satisfy me at all. The belt doesn’t mean much to me. I have a lot bigger goals, so now it’s like what is next on the list?


“Honestly, I thought I’d be the LFA champ a little younger,” Johns continued. “Unfortunately, I had to deal with some injuries in the beginning of my career, broken hand and stuff like that. God had to make me be patient, and training at Fortis, and seeing them win belts and go to the UFC I just had to wait my turn. I am still young to go to the UFC and I haven’t even reached my prime, but part of me thought I’d be in the UFC by now. It has been a test of patience, and so far it has worked out.”


For now, Johns remains at Fortis MMA, continuing to grind through his training camp and looking to defend the title. But, Johns continues to wait for his UFC shot, and is hoping he does enough to get a regular contract instead of having to take a short-notice fight. 

“That is always the goal and the dream to have an eight-week training camp for your UFC debut,” Johns said. “Just like Michael Bisping has said, that is not the case, these young guys have to win a fight and get back into the gym on Monday and be ready to make weight on two weeks’ notice. There are so many great bantamweights in the UFC that you have to do something great for the UFC to sign you, without going through the Contender Series or being short notice.”