Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, fighting out of Matt Hume's AMC, will take on Damacio "The Angel of Death" Page in a 135 lb bout on the main card of WEC 52: Faber vs Mizugaki this Thurs, Nov 11th at the Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas, and broadcast live on VERSUS. This will be Johnson's 3rd fight with the WEC, having lost a tough decision to Brad Pickett in his WEC debut in April, and picking up a dominant decision win over Nick Pace at WEC 51 this past Sept. NWFS spoke to Johnson a couple of days before WEC 52 about the fight with Page & more...

NW Fightscene: This fight with Damacio Page is a quick turnaround from your last fight at the end of September. When did you learn about it?
Demetrious Johnson: It came up three weeks ago. I was at home sleeping in bed and my girlfriend Destiny jumped up and said "Hey, Matt's on the phone." And whatever I'm doing, if Matt calls I always answer cause it could be about business, it could be important, it could be about the gym. So he's like "How's it going? How's your body? How's your cardio?" Everything's fine, Matt. What's up? "What do you think about fighting Nov 11th?". And I was like Sounds good. Yeah I'll take the fight. Who's it against? "Damacio Page." And I said Let's do it. Let's sign the contract on the dotted line, let's get to Vegas, and let's get the W.

NWFS: Page is known for his heavy hands. What are your thoughts on him?

Johnson: I think he's a real good opponent. It'll be a good chance for me to test my skills. He's 6th or 7th in the world depending on where you look, and it's a good opportunity for me to show where I'm at in the world. And the fact I have nothing to lose and he has everything to lose. I don't go in thinking like that, but I just know if I beat him, I'll take his spot in the world, you know.

NWFS: You've fought how many times this year?

Johnson: I had two in Alaska, and then in April and September [with the WEC], so this will be my fifth fight.

NWFS: Damacio is coming off injuries and hasn't been in there for over a year. Do you think that's an advantage for you, having had more ring time this year?

Johnson: It can be. It all depends. I think he'll jump right back into the groove again. But I think me being in the ring a lot more [this year] than he has, he's going to have to take a little bit of time to get used to it again, and get used to the jitters and the butterflies. And I'm going to give him NO chance to get used to it. I'm just going to come right at him and see what he's got.

NWFS: Have you been watching a lot of tape on him?

Johnson: Yeah, me and Matt have been watching tape on him the past two nights after training. We've done a good job preparing for him. Matt thinks everything's going good, and if he thinks everything's going good then I'm excited. I'm happy.

NWFS: With the WEC merging into the UFC, and you said previously you had a six fight contract with them, what's the status of your contract in switching over?

Johnson: As far as I know I think it rolls over. Regardless of whether the UFC wants me or not, I'm just going to go out there and do my best. If they want me to come to the UFC, I'll come. If not, I'll fight somewhere else. I'm just going to do my best.

NWFS: The UFC has talked about creating a 125 lb division maybe next year. Would you rather fight at 125 or is 135 lbs where you're at right now?

Johnson: I think right now, I like fighting at 135 because I can eat whatever I want. And if 125 becomes a fact, we'll take a look at it. And I'm pretty sure I'll fight there. Right now I'm going to fight at 135. And even if 125 comes out and they offer me a fight at 135 if someone drops out or gets hurt, I'll take a fight at 135, it doesn't matter to me. Preferably 125 but its whatever the WEC wants me to do and whatever Matt thinks to be best for me.

NWFS: Have you done anything different for this fight?

Johnson: I've been spending a lot more time with Matt up in AMC Kirkland.. Been doing more cross-fit this time. And been lifting five days a week instead of two days a week. That's the only thing I truly changed. Everything else is exactly the same. The same sparring partners, the same workout crew. Everything went perfect this time.

NWFS: Who would you like to thank?

Johnson: My sponsors, TCB, Tri-Coasta, UniVsAll, Klench Mouthguards, and Lockflow.com is backing me up. I'd like to thank my coaches Matt Hume, Trevor Jackson, Steve Skidds, Paul, Drew Brokenshire. All the guys at AMC Pacific and AMC Kirkland. My boss. My girlfriend. And thank everybody for supporting me in my fighting career.

Steve Skidds, Demetrious Johnson, & Matt Hume

NW Fightscene would like to thank Demetrious for making the time to talk with us. Catch him live this Thursday on VERSUS as he takes on Damacio Page on the main card of WEC 52: Faber vs Mizugaki from Las Vegas. More at wec.tv.

Fans can find Demetrious on Facebook. He trains with AMC Kickboxing & Pankration which is located in Kirkland, WA at 427 6th St S, and in Pacific, WA in Unit B at 1433 Valentine Ave SE. More info mmawizard.com/amc.