UFC Live 6 Draws Sass-Johnson Showdown at 155

Brian KnappJul 21, 2011

Unbeaten British prospect Paul Sass (Pictured; file photo) and “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 12 finalist Michael Johnson have verbally agreed to face one another in a lightweight matchup at UFC Live 6 on Oct. 1 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. UFC officials on Thursday revealed the proposed bout at 155 pounds.

Sass (11-0, 1-0 UFC) made his promotional debut at UFC 120 in October, when he submitted Mark Holst with his trademark maneuver -- the triangle choke, hence the nickname “Sassangle” -- in the first round at the O2 Arena in London; he has secured eight of his 11 professional victories with triangles. The 22-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt won the Olympian MMA Championships lightweight crown prior to signing with the UFC.

Johnson (9-5, 1-1 UFC) last appeared at UFC Live 4 in June, when he stopped Edward Faaloloto on first-round punches at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old Springfield Fight Club representative has posted four wins in his last five outings, a unanimous decision loss to Jonathan Brookins at “The Ultimate Fighter 12” Finale the lone hiccup. A gifted athlete blessed with speed and power, Johnson has proven vulnerable on the ground throughout his career; four of his five career defeats have come via submission.

A welterweight bout pairing AMA Fight Club standout Charlie Brenneman with Anthony Johnson will also be featured at UFC Live 6, which will air live on the Versus network.