Charles Johnson (fighter)

Charles Anthony Johnson is an American mixed martial artist and former boxer who currently competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former Legacy Fighting Alliance flyweight champion. As of November 25, 2025, he is #13 in the UFC flyweight rankings.

IG innergmma_ufc THR innergmma_ufc

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.

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 July 23, 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 February 3, 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.
Johnson faced Lone'er Kavanagh on August 23, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 257. He won the fight via knockout in round two. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.
Johnson faced Alex Perez on January 24, 2026, at UFC 324. 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. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Professional boxing record

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
10	Win	1–5–4	Phongsiri Tonabut	TKO	4, 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, 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.