Brett Johns
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Swansea, Wales
| Brett Johns | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 February 1992 Swansea, Wales |
| Other names | The Pikey |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb) |
| Division | Lightweight Featherweight Bantamweight |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Swansea, Wales |
| Team | Chris Rees Academy (2008–2020)[1] Shore MMA (2020–2025)[2] |
| Rank | Black belt in Judo[3] Brown belt in Muay Thai[3] Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Chris Rees[4] |
| Years active | 2012–2025 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 27 |
| Wins | 21 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 10 |
| Losses | 6 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Brett Johns (born 21 February 1992) is a Welsh former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the featherweight division. Johns has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Bellator MMA and Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor since 2012, he has also formerly competed for Cage Warriors and Titan FC, and was Bantamweight Champion for both promotions.[3]
Johns was born and raised by a single mother in Pontarddulais.[5] He has an older sister and two younger brothers.[5] Brett started training judo in a club run by his to-be-stepfather at the age of four.[6] While avidly training judo, he started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu on his stepfather's advice to improve his ground game at the age of 16.[6] While training jiu-jitsu under Chris Rees, Johns eventually grew an interest towards mixed arts.[6]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Johns made his mixed martial arts debut as an amateur in 2011 where he compiled an undefeated record of 4–0.[7] He turned professional in 2012 and competed on the regional circuit with stints in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship and Titan Fighting Championships where he was the Bantamweight Champion for each promotion.[citation needed]
Johns signed with the UFC in 2016.[8]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Johns made his promotional debut on 19 November 2016 against Kwan Ho Kwak at UFC Fight Night 99.[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[10]
Johns was expected to face Ian Entwistle on 18 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 107.[11] Entwistle missed weight at the weigh-ins – coming in at 139lbs, 3lbs over the bantamweight limit of 136lbs. He forfeited 20% of his fight purse to his opponent. The following day, Entwistle's medical clearance was revoked following a trip the hospital and the bout was cancelled.[12]
Johns was expected to face Mitch Gagnon on 16 July 2017 at UFC Fight Night 113.[13] However, Gagnon was removed from the card on 27 June and replaced by Albert Morales.[14] Johns won the bout by unanimous decision.[15]
Johns faced Joe Soto on 1 December 2017 at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale.[16] Johns won the bout by submission due to a calf slicer (the 2nd Calf Slicer in UFC history).[17] This win earned him Performance of the Night bonus.[18]
Johns faced Aljamain Sterling on 21 April 2018 at UFC Fight Night 128.[19] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[20]
Johns faced Pedro Munhoz on 4 August 2018 at UFC 227.[21] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[22]
Johns faced Tony Gravely on 25 January 2020 at UFC Fight Night 166.[23] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round three.[24] This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.[25]
Johns faced Montel Jackson on 19 July 2020 at UFC Fight Night 172.[26] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[27]
Bellator MMA
On 2 October 2020, Johns revealed he had signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA after testing free agency when his UFC contract expired.[28] Johns was expected to make his Bellator debut on 21 May 2021 at Bellator 259 against Matheus Mattos.[29][30] However, Mattos pulled out from the bout after contracting COVID-19 and was replaced by former Titan FC bantamweight champion Danny Sabatello.[31] Johns lost the bout via unanimous decision.[32]
Johns was scheduled to face Erik Pérez on 16 October 2021 at Bellator 268.[33] However on 5 October it was announced that Pérez was injured and the bout was scrapped.[34]
Johns faced Khurshed Kakhorov on 25 February 2022 at Bellator 275.[35] He won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the third round.[36]
Johns was scheduled to face James Gallagher on 23 September 2022 at Bellator 285.[37] However in August, it was announced that Gallagher pulled out of the bout for unknown reasons.[38] Jordan Winski was picked as a replacement for Gallagher.[39] Johns won the bout via unanimous decision.[40]
Johns was scheduled to face Marcirley Alves on 12 May 2023 at Bellator 296.[41] However, the week of the event, Johns pulled out due to staph infection.[42]
Professional Fighters League
After completing his contract, Johns signed with the PFL and made his debut against David Tonatiuh Crol on 8 December 2023 at PFL Europe 4.[43] He won the fight by TKO in the third round.[44]
Johns faced Timur Khizriev on 19 April 2024 at PFL 3 (2024).[45] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[46]
Johns was scheduled to face Ádám Borics on 28 June 2024 at PFL 6, but Borics pulled out and was replaced by Tyler Diamond.[47] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[48]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Joe Soto[18]
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Tony Gravely[25]
- UFC.com Awards
- 2017: Ranked #3 Submission of the Year vs. Joe Soto[49]
- Titan FC
- Titan FC Bantamweight Championship (one time; former)
- Cage Warriors
- CWFC Bantamweight Championship (one time; former)
- Pain Pit Fight Night
- PPFN Bantamweight (145 lbs) Championship
- MMA Mania
- UFC/MMA 'Submission of the Year' 2017 – Top 5 List No. 4 vs. Joe Soto at The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale[50]
- MMADNA.nl
- 2017 Submission of the Year vs. Joe Soto at The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale[51]
- MMA Junkie
- 2017 #2 Ranked Submission of the Year vs. Joe Soto at The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale[52]
Mixed martial arts record
| 27 matches | 21 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By submission | 7 | 0 |
| By decision | 10 | 5 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 21–6 | Nikolay Grozdev | TKO (punches) | WOW 25 | December 13, 2025 | 2 | 0:26 | Madrid, Spain | For the WOW Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–5 | Levan Kirtadze | Submission (kneebar) | WOW 21 | August 9, 2025 | 1 | 2:59 | Marbella, Spain | |
| Loss | 20–5 | Tyler Diamond | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 6 (2024) | 28 June 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States | |
| Loss | 20–4 | Timur Khizriev | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 3 (2024) | 19 April 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 20–3 | David Tonatiuh Crol | TKO (punches) | PFL Europe 4 (2023) | 8 December 2023 | 3 | 3:09 | Dublin, Ireland | Return to Featherweight. |
| Win | 19–3 | Jordan Winski | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 285 | 23 September 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Win | 18–3 | Khurshed Kakhorov | TKO (punches) | Bellator 275 | 25 February 2022 | 3 | 3:00 | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Loss | 17–3 | Danny Sabatello | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 259 | 21 May 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 17–2 | Montel Jackson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2 | 19 July 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 16–2 | Tony Gravely | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos | 25 January 2020 | 3 | 2:53 | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States | Fight of the Night |
| Loss | 15–2 | Pedro Munhoz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 227 | 4 August 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Loss | 15–1 | Aljamain Sterling | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee | 21 April 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 15–0 | Joe Soto | Submission (calf slicer) | The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale | 1 December 2017 | 1 | 0:30 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night |
| Win | 14–0 | Albert Morales | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio | 16 July 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Glasgow, Scotland | |
| Win | 13–0 | Kwak Kwan-ho | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2 | 19 November 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| Win | 12–0 | Anthony Gutierrez | Decision (split) | Titan FC 34 | 18 July 2015 | 5 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Johns missed weight (136.8 lb) and was stripped of the Titan FC Bantamweight Championship. Only Gutierrez was eligible to win the title. |
| Win | 11–0 | Walel Watson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Titan FC 33 | 20 March 2015 | 2 | 3:06 | Mobile, Alabama, United States | Won the Titan FC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–0 | James Brum | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Warriors FC 67 | 12 April 2014 | 5 | 5:00 | Swansea, Wales | Johns missed weight (137 lb) and was stripped of the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship. Only Brum was eligible to win the title. |
| Win | 9–0 | Jordan Desborough | Decision (split) | Cage Warriors 59 | 14 September 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Cardiff, Wales | Won the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Tournament and the vacant Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–0 | David Haggstrom | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Cage Warriors Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 7–0 | James MacCallister | TKO (punches) | Cage Warriors 54 | 4 May 2013 | 2 | 3:23 | Cardiff, Wales | Bantamweight debut |
| Win | 6–0 | Joe Orrey | Submission (armbar) | Pain Pit Fight Night 6 | 3 February 2013 | 1 | 3:59 | Newport, Wales | Won the PPFN Bantamweight (145 lb) Championship. |
| Win | 5–0 | Barrie Monty | TKO (punches) | Bad Blood Fight Night 2 | 24 November 2012 | 1 | 1:17 | Llanelli, Wales | |
| Win | 4–0 | Sam Gilbert | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Warriors 49 | 27 October 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Cardiff, Wales | |
| Win | 3–0 | Kyle Prosser | Decision (unanimous) | Pain Pit Fight Night 4 | 1 September 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Newport, Wales | Featherweight debut |
| Win | 2–0 | Arunis Klimavicius | Submission (triangle choke) | Celtic Battle Fight Night | 14 July 2012 | 1 | 2:31 | Carmarthen, Wales | |
| Win | 1–0 | Ben Wood | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Pain Pit Fight Night 3 | 30 June 2012 | 1 | 2:04 | Newport, Wales | Lightweight debut |
