UFC Lincoln results: Johnson squeaks by Fili with split decision

Michael Johnson earned a close split decision over Andre Fili in the UFC Lincoln co-main event.

Michael Johnson and Andre Fili battled it out to a decision in the UFC Lincoln co-main event. At the end of the day, it was Johnson who was awarded the decision win, which snapped a three-fight losing skid for the veteran. Opening up the bout, An inadvertent eye poke from Fili paused the action before it really even got started. The scrap picked up as soon as the bout resumed, with each man looking to land with their hands. Fili started to work in a head kick, which prompted Johnson to start throwing his southpaw cross.

An inadvertent cup kick from Johnson paused the action in the second round before it really even got started. Johnson continued to find a home for his laser left hand, but Fili changed levels and quickly took the back of Johnson. Fili stuck to the back of Johnson as Johnson stood up against the fence, doing his best to force an RNC. Fili dropped down when he felt like he had the choke in, but Johnson hung tough, defended well, and escaped the hold to take top position.

It took about a minute for Fili to shoot in and close the distance on Johnson, but Johnson did a sound job of escaping back to the center of the Octagon. The pace slowed down a bit down the stretch, with Johnson clinching Fili up against the cage in search of a takedown. Johnson snaps a three-fight losing streak, while Fili fails to win his third straight.

Michael Johnson def. Andre Fili by split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29): Featherweight