Brett Johns


Brett Johns is a Welsh former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the featherweight division. Johns has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, 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.

Early life

Johns was born and raised by a single mother in Pontarddulais. He has an older sister and two younger brothers. Brett started training judo in a club run by his to-be-stepfather at the age of four. 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. While training jiu-jitsu under Chris Rees, Johns eventually grew an interest towards mixed arts.

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. 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.
Johns signed with the UFC in 2016.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Johns made his promotional debut on 19 November 2016 against Kwan Ho Kwak at UFC Fight Night 99. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Johns was expected to face Ian Entwistle on 18 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 107. 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 The following day, Entwistle's medical clearance was revoked following a trip the hospital and the bout was cancelled.
Johns was expected to face Mitch Gagnon on 16 July 2017 at UFC Fight Night 113. However, Gagnon was removed from the card on 27 June and replaced by Albert Morales. Johns won the bout by unanimous decision.
Johns faced Joe Soto on 1 December 2017 at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale. Johns won the bout by submission due to a calf slicer. This win earned him Performance of the Night bonus.
Johns faced Aljamain Sterling on 21 April 2018 at UFC Fight Night 128. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Johns faced Pedro Munhoz on 4 August 2018 at UFC 227. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Johns faced Tony Gravely on 25 January 2020 at UFC Fight Night 166. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round three. This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Johns faced Montel Jackson on 19 July 2020 at UFC Fight Night 172. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

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. Johns was expected to make his Bellator debut on 21 May 2021 at Bellator 259 against Matheus Mattos. However, Mattos pulled out from the bout after contracting COVID-19 and was replaced by former Titan FC bantamweight champion Danny Sabatello. Johns lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Johns was scheduled to face Erik Pérez on 16 October 2021 at Bellator 268. However on 5 October it was announced that Pérez was injured and the bout was scrapped.
Johns faced Khurshed Kakhorov on 25 February 2022 at Bellator 275. He won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the third round.
Johns was scheduled to face James Gallagher on 23 September 2022 at Bellator 285. However in August, it was announced that Gallagher pulled out of the bout for unknown reasons. Jordan Winski was picked as a replacement for Gallagher. Johns won the bout via unanimous decision.
Johns was scheduled to face Marcirley Alves on 12 May 2023 at Bellator 296. However, the week of the event, Johns pulled out due to staph infection.

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. He won the fight by TKO in the third round.
Johns faced Timur Khizriev on 19 April 2024 at PFL 3. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Johns was scheduled to face Ádám Borics on 28 June 2024 at PFL 6, but Borics pulled out and was replaced by Tyler Diamond. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

  • Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • *Performance of the Night vs. Joe Soto
  • * Fight of the Night
  • *UFC.com Awards
  • **2017: Ranked #3 Submission of the Year
  • Titan FC
  • *Titan FC Bantamweight Championship
  • Cage Warriors
  • *CWFC Bantamweight Championship
  • Pain Pit Fight Night
  • *PPFN Bantamweight 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
  • MMADNA.nl
  • *2017 Submission of the Year
  • MMA Junkie
  • *2017 #2 Ranked Submission of the Year

    Mixed martial arts record