Charles Johnson showed once again that he has zero quit in him by rallying to upset Joshua Van at UFC on ESPN 59.
Johnson (16-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) was a sizeable betting underdog to hyped flyweight prospect Van (10-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), and for the first two rounds at Ball Arena in Denver, it looked like he was slightly out of his depth and en route to a decision loss.
But then the third round began, and Johnson stunned Van with a crisp punch followed by a huge uppercut that led to the knockdown. He pounded and got the knockout at the 0:20 mark of Round 3 to a stunning applause from the crowd (via X):
HE FINISHED HIM EARLY 😱@InnerGmma_UFC gets the third round KO to finish up our #UFCDenver prelims! pic.twitter.com/opvOu6Xott
— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2024
That's 3 in a row for Charles Johnson & his 3rd this year! @InnerGmma_UFC is on a HOT streak in 2024 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iyhwcme1ax
— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2024
After the fight, an ecstatic Johnson, who has now won three straight fights after losing three prior, said he’s on the way up in the 125-pound rankings.
“I got this fight 11 days ago,” Johnson said in his post-fight interview with Paul Felder. “… UFC, let me get a ranking, baby.”
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 59 results include:
- Charles Johnson def. Joshua Van via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 0:20
- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Fatima Kline via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Montel Jackson def. Da’Mon Blackshear via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:18
- Luana Santos def. Mariya Agapova via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:27
- Andre Petroski def. Josh Fremd via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Evan Elder def. Darrius Flowers via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 1:46
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.
