Ali Akbar Rosady
Charles Johnson, a prominent figure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s flyweight division, has voiced significant frustration regarding his inability to secure a bout against a highly ranked opponent, a crucial step he believes is necessary to propel him into title contention. Johnson, who has recently demonstrated a strong run of form, asserted that top flyweights appear unwilling to sign contracts to face him, impeding his ascent in the competitive 125-pound weight class.
Johnson’s recent professional trajectory underscores his ambition. He has secured victories in five of his last six outings, a performance streak that includes three post-fight bonuses. Notably, this run features a decisive knockout win over Joshua Van, who is now slated as the next challenger for the flyweight title. Johnson, currently holding a professional mixed martial arts record of 15-6, with a 7-5 record within the UFC, views the current landscape of the flyweight division as a unique opportunity. With reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja having already defeated a significant number of the division’s top-15 contenders, Johnson posits that a victory over a high-profile opponent could allow him to "leapfrog" sections of the ranking, potentially positioning him for a championship opportunity by 2026.
"I’m always going to make it known that I want the title, but I understand the landscape of fighting as well," Johnson stated in a recent interview with MMA Fighting. "I just want a top-five, top-six opponent to show that I’m worthy of fighting for a championship belt. Most of those guys have already lost to the champion, so if Van goes out there and loses, who is he going to fight? So, for me, I just want to throw my name in the cap. It’s only like two guys, Manel Kape and Tatsuro Taira, that I think are ahead of me for that opportunity. If I can go fight somebody of their caliber." This sentiment reflects a growing perception within the flyweight division that fresh matchups and new contenders are vital to maintain competitive interest, especially given Pantoja’s dominant reign. The Brazilian champion has successfully defended his title multiple times, showcasing a formidable blend of striking and grappling that has proven challenging for many elite flyweights.
Among the specific targets Johnson identified was Kai Kara-France, a seasoned New Zealander who previously challenged Pantoja for the undisputed title in June. Kara-France, with an official UFC record of 8-5 (24-11-1 overall), was subsequently removed from the official rankings after notifying the UFC of his intention to take a prolonged break from competition, which included withdrawing from the anti-doping pool. Johnson expressed his belief that Kara-France actively avoided a potential bout. "I asked for Kai Kara-France, but he dodged me and went into retirement," Johnson claimed. "The fight was booked for Australia, and he said no to it, and then he said he’s taking a year off. I mean, more power to him. I’m a fan of the guy, but he only fights once a year. Who wants to see these guys in the ranking and fighting once a year?"
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Johnson further elaborated on his criticism of Kara-France’s activity levels, contrasting it with his own consistent engagement in the Octagon. "You look at their records, he’s 8-5 in the UFC, and he’s been here for eight years. I’m 7-5 in UFC, I’ve been here for three years. I’ve been the most active. I’ve took my losses on the chin." This comparison highlights a broader frustration among active fighters regarding ranked contenders who remain on the sidelines, creating a perceived bottleneck in divisional progression. Johnson emphatically called for these inactive fighters to either return to competition or vacate their positions in the rankings. "And I just really feel like it’s my time now and these guys that are in the rankings that aren’t going to fight need to go, need to move out the way, or they need to fight, you know? Anybody in the top seven, I believe, will put me in a position where I can skip the line and I go have another fight similar to the one in China and show what I can do."
Johnson also disclosed that he had sought a fight against Steve Erceg, another ranked flyweight, for a card at Madison Square Garden (MSG), but stated that Erceg declined the bout. This further fueled Johnson’s exasperation with what he perceives as a pervasive issue of ranked fighters being unwilling to accept challenges.
Despite Johnson’s current difficulties in securing a high-profile opponent, the flyweight division is poised for a busy period with several significant matchups scheduled in the coming weeks. These bouts are expected to reshape the divisional hierarchy and potentially open new pathways for contenders. UFC Qatar on November 22 will feature the return of Japanese veteran Kyoji Horiguchi, a former Rizin and Bellator champion, against Dagestani grappler Tagir Ulanbekov. Additionally, rising prospect Asu Almabayev will face the experienced Alex Perez, a former title challenger. December’s fight cards are even more stacked, with the championship bout between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van headlining. Furthermore, a highly anticipated clash between Manel Kape and Brandon Royval, both top contenders, is scheduled, alongside a pivotal matchup between undefeated Tatsuro Taira and former champion Brandon Moreno. These upcoming fights hold significant implications for the top of the division, potentially creating new openings or reinforcing existing pecking orders.
Johnson expressed a strong desire to participate in a five-round main event, believing it would allow him to fully showcase his capabilities. "I’d love to fight one of those guys over five rounds," he remarked. "And if it has to be in the APEX, let’s do it… I know the star power I hold. I know people love seeing me fight. I know I’ve never had a boring fight, and I know what I can do when those lights shine. I won’t disappoint. I won’t disappoint in a main event." He drew a comparison between his endurance and that of top bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili, known for his relentless pace. "Nobody in the UFC has seen me in five rounds. People don’t understand. I am made similar to that engine, like of Merab [Dvalishvili], like, I am that guy from 125. Like I go, go, go, go, and I only go this way as the fight goes on. You only get a peek of how great I am in three rounds. The sooner you put me in five rounds, the more you’ll see what you got on your hands."
Johnson’s recent professional record includes a controversial decision loss to Ramazan Temirov. Months after their bout, Temirov was suspended for one year by the UFC Anti-Doping Policy following a positive test for trimetazidine. Trimetazidine is a heart medication classified as a hormone and metabolic modulator, listed on the prohibited list by anti-doping agencies due to its potential performance-enhancing effects. While Temirov officially tested negative on the night of their fight, Johnson harbors strong suspicions regarding his opponent’s conduct. "They say he was [clean that night] but, as a fighter, I just know guys know how to cycle off, know how to get away with things," Johnson asserted. He further alleged that Temirov engaged in illegal tactics during their fight, specifically grabbing the inside of his gloves multiple times. "And in film study, he did that in other fights. I told the ref before, and the ref just said, ‘Don’t grab the glove,’ but it already changes the grappling sequences when he does that. So if you can cheat in fights, I know your character, you’re a cheat outside of the cage too. And when it shows that you have, it’s just like, I’m not surprised, you know? But at the end of the day, he tested negative for our fight, so I can’t really do much but continue to do what I’m doing."
Johnson views this loss as particularly frustrating given the circumstances surrounding Temirov’s subsequent drug test failure and his in-fight tactics. "I won four fights in a row, and I did everything I could do, and I lost to a guy who popped for PEDs," he added, referencing his strong performance streak leading into the Temirov fight. Despite the official result, Johnson maintains that he was the superior fighter. "The whole fight, I feel like I’m gonna get this guy out of here if he fights me, but he doesn’t fight me. He’s throwing big shots and running. And then the third round, he just collapses. He’s just tired of shit. This guy’s not championship worthy. I’m better than this guy. He won a competition that night that the judges saw he won, but I didn’t feel that way."
Reflecting on his journey, Johnson interprets his recent successes as part of a significant turnaround. After an initial 2-4 start in the promotion between 2022 and 2023, he now considers himself to be on an effective "6-0 streak," mentally discounting the contentious loss to Temirov. This renewed confidence fuels his belief that he possesses the attributes of a UFC champion. "I just focus on myself and what can I do better," Johnson concluded. "I’m closing holes, I’m closing little gaps here and there. I feel like I’m the best in the world, but it’s about performing every time I step in there… I’m feeling like I’m Charles Oliveira. When he was finishing people, I feel like I can do that. People haven’t had to see my grappling, but I’m working so hard, and I’m grappling with some great guys, and they’re all giving me praise. I’m just excited about when I get those positions in fights, and I can show people another layer. Until then, I’m just gonna keep doing what I’m doing, win the fight where I need to." Johnson’s unwavering belief in his potential, coupled with his call for increased activity and accountability within the flyweight ranks, sets the stage for what he hopes will be a defining period in his UFC career.
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