Timothy Johnson was not re-signed by the UFC despite coming off of a win.
Johnson (12-6 MMA, 0-2 BMMA) compiled a 4-3 record inside the octagon, but admits his release from the UFC did not come as much of a surprise.
His fighting style just didn’t cut it, but Johnson said there’s no ill-will.
“Honestly, my contract ran out and there wasn’t a lot of interest from them really re-signing me,” Johnson told MMA Junkie. “I think a lot of that had to do with my fighting style. I’ll be the most honest person about myself. I’m not an entertaining fighter. I know that, and unfortunately our end game is put rear ends in the seats. And no matter what records are – you can even look at (PFL fighter) Jared Rosholt. His UFC record I think was 6-2 or something, and he got (released). It’s his fighting style. So I can’t have much hate for that.”
In his final bout with the promotion, Johnson scored a unanimous decision win over Marcelo Golm at UFC Fight Night 125. He used a clinch-heavy approach and tried to wear Golm out.
That strategy ultimately may have helped cost him his job, despite getting the win.
“I went into that fight trying to grind out a win so I can get a new contract, but actually it worked against me,” he said. “But I’m happy now where we’re at, and everything moves on.”
Johnson signed with Bellator, but has yet to pick up his first promotional win. He suffered back-to-back stoppage losses to Cheick Kongo and Vitaly Minikov.
He returns to action Feb. 21 at Bellator 239 when he takes on undefeated rising heavyweight star Tyrell Fortune.
It’s a familiar position for Johnson, who’s accustomed to taking on highly touted prospects like Shamil Abdurakhimov and Marcin Tybura, both of whom he defeated during his UFC tenure.
“My UFC career, I think I fought for three or four (opponents’) debuts,” Johnson said. “That was my nickname. If you want to be a gatekeeper, call yourself the ‘prospect killer,’ because I kind of beat a lot of prospects.”
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