Tim Johnson Prepares For His UFC Debut

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Fargo’s own Tim Johnson gears up for his big UFC debut.

The MMA fighter will face off against Shamil Abdurakhimov in Fairfax, Virginia next month.

It’s been years in the making, mixed with hard work but it wasn’t until last year that Tim Johnson decided to fight for his career.

Tim Johnson says, “I was competing but I wasn’t taking it as seriously as I could. One day I was like if I’m going to do this I’m going to do it right.”

He started fighting at a young age but only by default.

The fighter says, “I was playing basketball and wrestling up until that 7th grade time when you had to make a choice. Of course most people went to basketball because that was the thing to do.”

He chose wresting from then on and it became his fighting foundation.

Trainer Joe Trottier says, “He’s an all–American wrestler. He wrestled at Moorhead State so that’s always going to be his strength and we’re just trying to build on his striking and he’s coming along.”

The only way up from here is UFC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and for those who don’t know what that means…

Johnson says, “It’s the NFL of fighting.”

With every punch and kick, Johnson is ready for his upcoming fight.

Academy of Combat Arts Head Coach Dylan Spicer says, “He’s fighting Shamil Abdurakhimov, a Russian guy whose just recently was ranked in the “Top 20 in the World” so it’s definitely going to be a good challenge but I think that Tim’s the type of guy whose a ‘game day player’ so he’ll show up and be ready to go.”

Johnson has committed to fighting for his dream and knows that one thing is key if he wants to succeed.

Johnson adds, “Just go into with an open mind and all you can do is get better every day.”

You can watch the fight on April 4th on Fox Sports 1.