# Charles Johnson (fighter)

Charles Anthony Johnson (born January 10, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist and former boxer who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of March 18, 2025, he is #14 in the UFC flyweight rankings.

## Background

Johnson was born in Topeka, Kansas, and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of four. During high school, he was selected to represent his state in wrestling, cross country, long distance running, and sprinting, and was a star athlete, competing in the state championships in American football.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Starting his professional career in 2016, Johnson fought under various promotions, most notably Legacy Fighting Alliance.
On July 2, 2021, Johnson faced Yuma Horiuchi in the LFA flyweight interim championship match at LFA 110, winning the title by split decision in 5 rounds.
On August 27, 2021, Johnson faced challenger Juan Camilo in the LFA flyweight title match at LFA 114, winning by TKO in the second round with punches. He successfully defended the interim title for the first time, and after the match, regular champion Victor Altamirano moved to UFC, and Johnson was recognized as the regular champion.
On January 21, 2021, Johnson faced challenger Carlos Mota in the LFA flyweight title match at LFA 122, fighting a fierce battle and winning by TKO with a right straight in the fifth round. He successfully defended the title for the first time.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Johnson made his UFC debut against Muhammad Mokaev on 23 July 2022, at UFC Fight Night 212. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Johnson faced Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC Fight Night 215. He won the fight via split decision. 12 out of 13 media outlets scored the fight in favor of Zhumagulov.
Johnson faced Jimmy Flick on January 14, 2023, UFC Fight Night 217. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
Johnson faced Ode' Osbourne on February 25, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 220. He lost the fight via split decision.
Johnson faced Cody Durden on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Johnson faced Rafael Estevam on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Johnson faced Azat Maksum on 3 February 2024 at UFC Fight Night 235, replacing Nate Maness on that bout. He won the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him his first Fight of the Night award.
In his next fight, he faced Jake Hadley on May 11, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 56. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Johnson faced Joshua Van on July 13, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 59. He won the bout by knockout in the third round. This earned him his first Performance of the Night award.
Johnson faced Su Mudaerji on October 19, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 245. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Johnson faced Ramazon Temirov on March 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 253. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
** Fight of the Night (One Time) vs. Azat Maksum
** Performance of the Night (One Time) vs. Joshua Van
* Legacy Fighting Alliance
** Legacy Fighting Alliance Flyweight Champion (One time)

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 24 matches | 17 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 0 |
| By submission | 3 | 0 |
| By decision | 7 | 7 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 17–7 | Ramazan Temirov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev | March 1, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–6 | Su Mudaerji | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira | October 19, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 16–6 | Joshua Van | KO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Namajunas vs. Cortez | July 13, 2024 | 3 | 0:20 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 15–6 | Jake Hadley | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento | May 11, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 14–6 | Azat Maksum | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov | February 3, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 13–6 | Rafael Estevam | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig | November 18, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (128 lb) bout; Estevam missed weight. |
| Loss | 13–5 | Cody Durden | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón | April 29, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 13–4 | Ode' Osbourne | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Muniz vs. Allen | February 25, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (130 lb) bout. |
| Win | 13–3 | Jimmy Flick | TKO (elbows and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov | January 14, 2023 | 1 | 4:33 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–3 | Zhalgas Zhumagulov | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba | November 19, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 11–3 | Muhammad Mokaev | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall | July 23, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Win | 11–2 | Carlos Mota | TKO (punches) | LFA 122 | January 22, 2022 | 5 | 0:45 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | Defended the LFA Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–2 | João Camilo | TKO (punches) | LFA 114 | August 27, 2021 | 2 | 4:07 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | Defended the interim LFA Flyweight Championship. Later promoted to undisputed champion. |
| Win | 9–2 | Yuma Horiuchi | Decision (split) | LFA 110 | July 1, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States | Won the interim LFA Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–2 | Karlee Pangilinan | Submission (anaconda choke) | LFA 100 | February 19, 2021 | 2 | 1:41 | Park City, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 7–2 | Brandon Royval | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 48 | September 7, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kearney, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Andrew Kimzey | TKO (punches) | LFA 42 | June 8, 2018 | 1 | 1:41 | Branson, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 6–1 | Sean Santella | Decision (unanimous) | PA Cage Fight 31 | March 31, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States | For the PACF Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Marc Tong Van | Submission (brabo choke) | Elite Fight League 1 | January 20, 2018 | 1 | 3:20 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Jeremiah Cullum | Decision (split) | LFA 21 | September 1, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Branson, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Michael Graves | Decision (unanimous) | Gateway Fighting Series 9 | June 23, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Ray Allard | Submission (kimura) | Fight Hard MMA 10 | January 7, 2017 | 2 | 2:20 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | Flyweight debut. |
| Win | 2–0 | Alex Stephens | TKO (submission to punches) | True Revelation MMA 31 | October 15, 2016 | 1 | N/A | Burlington, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Austin Reed | TKO (punches) | Ultimate Blue Corner Battles 22 | June 3, 2016 | 2 | 2:30 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Bantamweight debut. |

## Professional boxing record

| 10 fights | 1 win | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 0 | 4 |
| Draws | 4 | 4 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location |
| 10 | Win | 1–5–4 | Phongsiri Tonabut | TKO | 4 (6), 2:56 | Feb 15, 2020 | Rawai Boxing Stadium, Phuket, Thailand |
| 9 | Loss | 0–5–4 | Pablo Sanchez | UD | 4 | Aug 10, 2019 | Tyndall Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| 8 | Loss | 0–4–4 | Carltavius Jones Johnson | UD | 4 | May 4, 2019 | Horizons Event Center, Norcross, Georgia, U.S. |
| 7 | Loss | 0–3–4 | Michael Valentin | MD | 4 | Apr 26, 2019 | Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| 6 | Draw | 0–2–4 | Tyjuan Townsend | MD | 4 | Apr 6, 2019 | Casa Loma Ballroom, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| 5 | Loss | 0–2–3 | Robert O'Quinn | TKO | 3 (4), 3:00 | Feb 23, 2019 | Performance Arts Center, Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. |
| 4 | Loss | 0–1–3 | Jeremy Hill | UD | 4 | Jul 14, 2018 | Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| 3 | Draw | 0–0–3 | Kaywann Sistrunk | MD | 4 | May 11, 2018 | Performance Arts Center, Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. |
| 2 | Draw | 0–0–2 | Joel Flores | MD | 4 | Feb 2, 2018 | WinnaVegas Casino & Resort, Sloan, Iowa, U.S. |
| 1 | Draw | 0–0–1 | Tyjuan Townsend | UD | 4 | May 12, 2017 | Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center, St. Charles, Missouri, U.S. |