Charles Johnson
InnerG
USA
Comeback finish in Shanghai
Johnson defeated Lone'er Kavanagh via KO (punches) at 4:35 of Round 2 at UFC Shanghai on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Johnson got off to a bit of a slow start, as he couldn't get his takedowns going in the opening round and fell behind 36-to-14 in terms of significant strikes. He continued to let Kavanagh get the better of him in the standup for much of Round 2, but a massive counter right hand found its way through Kavanagh's guard, and he was out before he hit the mat. Johnson's come-from-behind victory would go on to earn him one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening, plus it allows him to bounce back from a March defeat to Ramazan Temirov. He's a growing threat in the flyweight division.
Johnson got off to a bit of a slow start, as he couldn't get his takedowns going in the opening round and fell behind 36-to-14 in terms of significant strikes. He continued to let Kavanagh get the better of him in the standup for much of Round 2, but a massive counter right hand found its way through Kavanagh's guard, and he was out before he hit the mat. Johnson's come-from-behind victory would go on to earn him one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening, plus it allows him to bounce back from a March defeat to Ramazan Temirov. He's a growing threat in the flyweight division.
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Booked against Kavanagh
Johnson will take on Lone'er Kavanagh in a flyweight matchup at UFC Shanghai on August 23, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson saw a four-fight winning streak come to an end with a March defeat to Ramazan Temirov, though the fight was at least close, as he won the significant striking battle despite the defeat. He'll now take on Kavanagh, an up-and-coming prospect who is undefeated as a pro with two official UFC victories. Johnson will hold five-inch height and three-inch reach advantages, in addition to being a higher-volume striker. Kavanagh will presumably go to his wrestling to negate those advantages, as Johnson has a good-but-not-great takedown defense of 67 percent.
Johnson saw a four-fight winning streak come to an end with a March defeat to Ramazan Temirov, though the fight was at least close, as he won the significant striking battle despite the defeat. He'll now take on Kavanagh, an up-and-coming prospect who is undefeated as a pro with two official UFC victories. Johnson will hold five-inch height and three-inch reach advantages, in addition to being a higher-volume striker. Kavanagh will presumably go to his wrestling to negate those advantages, as Johnson has a good-but-not-great takedown defense of 67 percent.
Can't overcome slow start
Johnson lost to Ramazan Temirov via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Johnson entered the evening on a four-fight winning streak, but despite a strong third round, he was unable to overcome a slow start to get the nod from the judges. He actually came out ahead in total and significant strikes when it was all said and done, along with a slight edge in control time. Still, his overall record will drop to 17-7 with the defeat.
Johnson entered the evening on a four-fight winning streak, but despite a strong third round, he was unable to overcome a slow start to get the nod from the judges. He actually came out ahead in total and significant strikes when it was all said and done, along with a slight edge in control time. Still, his overall record will drop to 17-7 with the defeat.
Fight booked vs Temirov
Johnson will fight Ramazan Temirov at UFC Vegas 103 on March 1, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson, who won all four of his fights in 2024, has booked his next fight versus Temirov. Temirov won his UFC debut versus C.J. Vergara in October via TKO (punches). Johnson has a significant advantage in experience and height, but Temirov proved he belongs UFC.
Johnson, who won all four of his fights in 2024, has booked his next fight versus Temirov. Temirov won his UFC debut versus C.J. Vergara in October via TKO (punches). Johnson has a significant advantage in experience and height, but Temirov proved he belongs UFC.
Fourth win of 2024
Johnson defeated Su Mudaerji via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Typically tasked as the underdog, Johnson entered this fight as a -300 favorite. He came through. Just barely. The first and third rounds of this bout were extremely competitive. Mudaerji predictably looked good on the feet, while Johnson was able to get his grappling game going. But the biggest moment of the fight came when Charles connected on a huge Round 2 knockdown that nearly earned him the stoppage. In the end, all three judges felt he did enough to win. Johnson has now won four straight fights, all in the calendar year 2024.
Typically tasked as the underdog, Johnson entered this fight as a -300 favorite. He came through. Just barely. The first and third rounds of this bout were extremely competitive. Mudaerji predictably looked good on the feet, while Johnson was able to get his grappling game going. But the biggest moment of the fight came when Charles connected on a huge Round 2 knockdown that nearly earned him the stoppage. In the end, all three judges felt he did enough to win. Johnson has now won four straight fights, all in the calendar year 2024.
Fighting again in October
Johnson will take on Su Mudaerji at a UFC Event on Oct. 19, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson has been busy so far in 2024, winning three straight matchups in the octagon, the most recent being against Joshua Van (KO) back in July. The 33-year-old American will take on Chinese-fighter Mudaerji, who hasn't won a matchup since 2021.
Johnson has been busy so far in 2024, winning three straight matchups in the octagon, the most recent being against Joshua Van (KO) back in July. The 33-year-old American will take on Chinese-fighter Mudaerji, who hasn't won a matchup since 2021.