Charles Johnson
19-8-0
Flyweight
About
Hard-nosed flyweight grinder who's chasing finishes and climbing the UFC rankings with power and grit.
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Charles Johnson is a 35-year-old flyweight from Topeka, Kansas, who stumbled into MMA in 2012 when his brother needed a wrestling partner and took a pro fight on a week and a half of training. What started as accident became a career: Johnson won three flyweight titles in the LFA before arriving in the UFC at age 31 as a late prospect. His first four fights in the octagon were rough, losing to Muhammad Mokaev, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, Ode Osbourne, Cody Durden, and Rafael Estevam. But something clicked. In his recent run, Johnson has become one of the flyweight division's most dangerous finishers, landing power punches from the standing position with both precision and timing.
His greatest moment came in July 2024 when he knocked out Joshua Van, the current UFC flyweight champion, with a right uppercut at 20 seconds of the third round, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus. Months later, at UFC Fight Night Shanghai in August 2025, Johnson brutalized Lone'er Kavanagh with a second-round TKO and another Performance of the Night check. These weren't narrow wins or grinding decisions: they were statement finishes. An upset loss to Alex Perez in January 2026 stalled his surge, but Johnson has already moved on, beating Bruno Silva in a split decision at UFC Fight Night 269 in March.
As a fighter, Johnson is a pressure striker with excellent striking defense (56%), landing 4.77 significant strikes per minute while absorbing just over 4. He's not flashy, but he's methodical and heavy-handed, with eight career knockouts and three submission wins. He trains at Fusion X-Cel in St. Louis and credits an All-State wrestling background, track and field athleticism, and work as a carpenter, car technician, and high school coach before fighting full-time. He's also a father, graphic designer, and league of legends player. Johnson doesn't court attention or create drama. In interviews, he's measured and grateful, citing Max Holloway as his favorite fighter for his intellectual approach to combat.
Currently ranked number 14 in the UFC flyweight division at 19-8 MMA overall, Johnson is an understated presence with dangerous hands and a high work rate, still climbing and still hungry with a career record of five wins in his last seven bouts.
Why fans love Johnson
Johnson is stoic and humble. He doesn't trash-talk or seek the spotlight; he just shows up and finishes people with precision power. He credits his basketball and track background and his wrestling roots. He's a father working multiple jobs before UFC stardom, and his personal interview answers are thoughtful: he admires Max Holloway's freedom in the cage and cites mental toughness as his greatest challenge. Fans respect his work ethic and lack of ego.
