UFC
Benson Henderson vs. Michael Johnson expected to headline Ultimate Fighter Finale in Florida on July 12
Apr 15, 2015 - 1:20:56 PM Benson Henderson vs. Michael Johnson expected to headline Ultimate Fighter Finale in Florida on July 12

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

After agreeing to fight one another over Twitter, Benson Henderson and Michael Johnson appear to be headed to a showdown in Florida.

Duane Finley first reported that the bout was coming in July, while MMAFighting.com reports that the fight is being targeted as the headliner for The Ultimate Fighter Finale on July 12 in either the city of Hollywood or Sunrise.

This would bring Henderson back to the lightweight division after a short notice jump up to welterweight in February. He bounced back from a two-fight losing streak to now-current Champ Rafael dos Anjos and Donald Cerrone in that fight, submitting Brandon Thatch in the fourth round.

As for Johnson, he's won four straight fights, and seven of his last nine. After a February decision win over Edson Barboza, Johnson is hoping to take a big step up into title contention with this matchup.

The new season of The Ultimate Fighter premieres on Fox Sports 1 next week, pitting two south Florida gyms, American Top Team and The Blackzilians, against one another for up to $500,000.

Penick's Analysis: It's a great lightweight fight, and giving it five rounds is a great idea. It's a massive opportunity for Johnson to prove himself worthy of title consideration, while Henderson moves back into the mix himself with a win. It should be a very good FS1 main event, and coming a night after the Jose Aldo-Conor McGregor event from Las Vegas makes for an exciting weekend of fights.

[Benson Henderson art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]