Donte Johnson has found a new friend and mentor in a former UFC champion.
Ahead of his UFC 330 fight, Johnson (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has linked up with Jamahal Hill in Las Vegas. The two have become close, and it didn’t take much time for Johnson to view Hill like family.
“It was all orchestrated by God,” Johnson recently told MMA Junkie Radio. “If I’m being real, he’s always been a fighter I’ve looked up to. He’s always been a fighter who I’ve studied. He’s from Wisconsin. I’m from Michigan. There’s some type of relativeness there. Ever since I’ve got to Vegas, he introduced himself. Ever since then, we started kicking it and chopping it up. Yeah, he’s been giving me the ins and outs of the game and helping me a lot on my footwork. We talk a lot about the dance of the fight. We talk a lot about footwork. Yeah, he’s just been a huge help.
“I met his family. I call him a brother. I can call him (and he can) call me if he needs something. I’m super grateful my life has turned out the way it has thus far. To be around Jamahal Hill and be sparring and training with Sean Strickland, all these people, it’s like, I haven’t even been signed to the UFC a year yet. I love my life and I love Jamahal Hill.”
Johnson, 27, has become one of Mick Maynard’s go-to guys to matchmake over the past eight months. In November, he made his promotional debut with a second-round submission of Sedriques Dumas. He returned in March and went the distance for the first time in his career, earning a split decision nod over Cody Brundage.
It was disappointing to lose the “100 percent finish rate” accolade, but Johnson said Hill spit some knowledge to alleviate his concerns.
“(It bothered me) slightly at first, but I’ve got to be real with myself, too,” Johnson said. “Jamahal Hill… one thing he told me was, ‘Hey, if you ever want to hear guys laugh, tell them what you’ve got planned.’ I didn’t get the knockout, but we answered a lot of the questions, not only for myself but for the people who know the fight game and for the fans who know a little something about fighting. We answered some of their questions as well. I’m not going to get the finish every time. Do I want to? Yes. But yeah, man, it was a good fight. I learned a lot, and I cannot wait to get back in there Aug. 15.”
Johnson is excited to fight on a numbered event after consecutive UFC Fight Night appearances. He’ll battle MMA LAB veteran Eric McConico (11-4-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) in a middleweight bout at the Aug. 15 event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
“Exponentially, and it’s just going to keep being that way. We’re going to keep on getting better because I’m going to keep showing up every day. I’m going to for sure keep on praising my god and giving him all the glory. His promise is his promise. I’ve just got to show up and do my part. That’s the easy part.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Donte Johnson reveals advice newfound pal Jamahal Hill gave ahead of UFC 330
