EPISODE · Jun 29, 2026 · 1H 29M
UFC Vet: 20 Surgeries, 4 Fight Losing Streak & NEVER Quits
from The Resilient Show · host Chad Robichaux
Michael “The Menace” Johnson has spent more than 16 years fighting at the highest level in the UFC.But the real story isn’t just what happened inside the cage.It’s losing his father as a kid. Watching his mother carry the weight of the family. Learning how to turn pain, anger, losses, surgeries, and setbacks into motivation to keep moving.In this episode, Michael opens up about what it takes to be resilient, fighting through fear, taking personal responsibility, and how he kept going when life knocked him down.Follow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menacefight/?hl=en00:00 Michael Johnson Intro00:52 Welcome Michael “The Menace” Johnson01:58 20 surgeries and 18 years of fighting02:46 The no-quit mindset that built his career04:13 Turning street fights into a UFC career05:46 Losing his father at a young age07:15 How his mother’s strength shaped him09:34 Advice for young men acting out in pain11:06 Dealing with hate, critics, and online comments13:44 What it really takes to walk into the cage15:54 Fear, nerves, and the mindset before a fight18:52 The truth about cutting weight21:31 How Michael found Springfield Fight Club22:58 Making it to the UFC in only two years24:17 The long road to The Ultimate Fighter27:30 What life was really like in the TUF house29:09 Lessons learned from Georges St-Pierre30:40 Why the new generation of fighters may lack grit34:16 How fighting lessons carry over into life35:49 Personal responsibility after a loss37:30 Michael Johnson on fighting at 4038:32 The biggest fights of his career39:51 The Dustin Poirier win and learning from karma41:39 Why losses teach the biggest lessons52:22 Michael’s relationship with Dana White and the UFC53:34 The truth about UFC fighter pay01:08:14 Why Michael still refuses to quit01:09:43 The Justin Gaethje fight——Stay up-to-date with all things Resilient by subscribing to our Resilient Times Newsletter: https://resilienttimes.substack.comRESILIENT:Follow Us On Patreon: https://patreon.com/theresilientshowFollow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientshowFollow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/resilientshowFollow Us On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resilientshowLIVE RESILIENT STORE:https://shop.theresilientshow.comFollow Chad: https://www.instagram.com/chadrobo_officialhttps://x.com/ChadRoboSPONSORS:Smith & Wesson: https://www.smith-wesson.comVortex Optics: https://vortexoptics.comGatorz Eyewear: https://www.gatorz.comAllied Wealth: https://alliedwealth.comBioPro+: https://www.bioproteintech.com/CHAD30BioXCellerator: https://www.bioxcellerator.comCore Medical: https://coremedicalgrp.com/chadpodcastcmg------The Resilient Show is a proud supporter of military and first responder communities in partnership with Mighty Oaks Foundation.
What this episode covers
Michael “The Menace” Johnson has spent more than 16 years fighting at the highest level in the UFC.But the real story isn’t just what happened inside the cage.It’s losing his father as a kid. Watching his mother carry the weight of the family. Learning how to turn pain, anger, losses, surgeries, and setbacks into motivation to keep moving.In this episode, Michael opens up about what it takes to be resilient, fighting through fear, taking personal responsibility, and how he kept going when life knocked him down.Follow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menacefight/?hl=en00:00 Michael Johnson Intro00:52 Welcome Michael “The Menace” Johnson01:58 20 surgeries and 18 years of fighting02:46 The no-quit mindset that built his career04:13 Turning street fights into a UFC career05:46 Losing his father at a young age07:15 How his mother’s strength shaped him09:34 Advice for young men acting out in pain11:06 Dealing with hate, critics, and online comments13:44 What it really takes to walk into the cage15:54 Fear, nerves, and the mindset before a fight18:52 The truth about cutting weight21:31 How Michael found Springfield Fight Club22:58 Making it to the UFC in only two years24:17 The long road to The Ultimate Fighter27:30 What life was really like in the TUF house29:09 Lessons learned from Georges St-Pierre30:40 Why the new generation of fighters may lack grit34:16 How fighting lessons carry over into life35:49 Personal responsibility after a loss37:30 Michael Johnson on fighting at 4038:32 The biggest fights of his career39:51 The Dustin Poirier win and learning from karma41:39 Why losses teach the biggest lessons52:22 Michael’s relationship with Dana White and the UFC53:34 The truth about UFC fighter pay01:08:14 Why Michael still refuses to quit01:09:43 The Justin Gaethje fight——Stay up-to-date with all things Resilient by subscribing to our Resilient Times Newsletter: https://resilienttimes.substack.comRESILIENT:Follow Us On Patreon: https://patreon.com/theresilientshowFollow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientshowFollow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/resilientshowFollow Us On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resilientshowLIVE RESILIENT STORE:https://shop.theresilientshow.comFollow Chad: https://www.instagram.com/chadrobo_officialhttps://x.com/ChadRoboSPONSORS:Smith & Wesson: https://www.smith-wesson.comVortex Optics: https://vortexoptics.comGatorz Eyewear: https://www.gatorz.comAllied Wealth: https://alliedwealth.comBioPro+: https://www.bioproteintech.com/CHAD30BioXCellerator: https://www.bioxcellerator.comCore Medical: https://coremedicalgrp.com/chadpodcastcmg------The Resilient Show is a proud supporter of military and first responder communities in partnership with Mighty Oaks Foundation.
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UFC Vet: 20 Surgeries, 4 Fight Losing Streak & NEVER Quits
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