Charles Johnson (fighter)
American mixed martial artist (born 1991)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charles Anthony Johnson[1] (born January 10, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist and former professional boxer who currently competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) flyweight champion. As of May 12, 2026, he is #14 in the UFC flyweight rankings.[2]
January 10, 1991
Topeka, Kansas, U.S.
| Charles Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Charles Anthony Johnson January 10, 1991 Topeka, Kansas, U.S. |
| Other names | InnerG |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight (2017–present) Bantamweight (2016, 2018) |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Fighting out of | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Team | Murcielago MMA |
| Rank | Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 10 |
| Wins | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Draws | 4 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 27 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 8 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By decision | 7 |
| Other information | |
| Boxing record from BoxRec | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
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 competing in the state championships in American football.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Starting his professional career in 2016, Johnson fought under various promotions, most notably Legacy Fighting Alliance.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
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.[7]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Johnson made his UFC debut against Muhammad Mokaev on July 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 212.[8] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[9]
Johnson faced Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC Fight Night 215.[10] He won the fight via split decision.[11] 12 out of 13 media outlets scored the fight in favor of Zhumagulov.[12]
Johnson faced Jimmy Flick on January 14, 2023, UFC Fight Night 217.[13] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[14]
Johnson faced Ode' Osbourne on February 25, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 220.[15] He lost the fight via split decision.[16]
Johnson faced Cody Durden on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 45.[17] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[18]
Johnson faced Rafael Estevam on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232.[19] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[20]
Johnson faced Azat Maksum on February 3, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 235, replacing Nate Maness on that bout.[21] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[22] This fight earned him his first Fight of the Night award.[23]
In his next fight, he faced Jake Hadley on May 11, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 56. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[24]
Johnson faced Joshua Van on July 13, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 59.[25] He won the bout by knockout in the third round.[26] This earned him his first Performance of the Night award.[27]
Johnson faced Su Mudaerji on October 19, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 245.[28] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[29]
Johnson faced Ramazon Temirov on March 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 253.[30] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[31]
Johnson faced Lone'er Kavanagh on August 23, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 257.[32] He won the fight via knockout in round two.[33] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[34]
Johnson faced Alex Perez on January 24, 2026, at UFC 324.[35] Perez weighed in at 128.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. As a result, the bout proceeded at catchweight, and Perez was fined 25 percent of his purse, which was awarded to Johnson.[36] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[37]
Johnson faced Bruno Gustavo da Silva on March 14, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 269.[38] He won the fight by split decision.[39]
Johnson is scheduled to face Asu Almabayev on June 27, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 280.[40]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Azat Maksum[23]
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Joshua Van and Lone'er Kavanagh[27][34]
- Legacy Fighting Alliance
- LFA Flyweight Champion (One time)
- MMA Fighting
- 2024 Second Team MMA All-Star[41]
Mixed martial arts record
| 27 matches | 19 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 1 |
| By submission | 3 | 0 |
| By decision | 8 | 7 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 19–8 | Bruno Gustavo da Silva | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos | March 14, 2026 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 18–8 | Alex Perez | TKO (punches) | UFC 324 | January 24, 2026 | 1 | 3:16 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (128.5 lb) bout; Perez missed weight. |
| Win | 18–7 | Lone'er Kavanagh | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang | August 23, 2025 | 2 | 4:35 | Shanghai, China | Performance of the Night. |
| 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 19 | 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 FC 1 | 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 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |