Tag: Charles Johnson

Charles Johnson seeks bigger opportunities with UFC Fight Night 253 win

Charles Johnson is entering UFC Fight Night 253 with a chip on his shoulder.

[autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag] is entering UFC Fight Night 253 with a chip on his shoulder.

Johnson (17-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) takes on streaking flyweight Ramazan Temirov (18-2-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in Saturday’s prelim opener (ESPN+) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Considering that Johnson is a ranked UFC flyweight who’s on a four-fight winning streak, he was expecting to draw a bigger fight.

“I don’t have anything against it, but I look at the opportunities other guys get when they come into the promotion from RIZIN, from Eternal, but what are these promotions compared to LFA, that has had hundreds of not only ranked guys, but a plethora of champions?” Johnson said in an interview with UFC.com. “I’m a three-time champion from that promotion.

“Why am I not getting an opportunity when I’m on a three-fight winning streak, four-fight winning streak? Give me a chance. So this is where we are. I’m never get upset at them or their opportunities, but it’s like, ‘When is it going to be my turn? When am I going to get the opportunities these guys are getting?’ I’m on a four-fight winning streak in one year, who else has done that, in this division?”

Johnson had a rocky start to his UFC career. The 34-year-old drew undefeated phenom Muhammad Mokaev in his octagon debut in July 2022, and went 2-4 in his first six fights. But a perfect 4-0 in a busy 2024 allowed Johnson to turn his career around, as he takes inspiration from several former champions who have been able to do the same.

“Charles Oliveira’s career, Max Holloway’s career – they had early losses before they rattled off seven, eight, nine wins to become world champions,” Johnson said.

“For me, it’s another opportunity to prove my worth, another opportunity to continue to show myself. I’m just looking to dominate, getting back to how I was in LFA, moving around, talking my sh*t. It’s going to be a tough fight, but they’re all tough. I’m excited about this one.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 253.

Charles Johnson wants Kai Kara-France or Manel Kape next: ‘I’ve done enough to show I’m ready for that’

Charles Johnson wants a big name following his victory over Su Mudaerji at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag] is calling for a step up in competition.

Now on a four-fight winning streak, Johnson (17-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) is hoping to get one of the bigger names in the flyweight division – Kai Kara-France or Manel Kape. This request comes after Johnson defeated Su Mudaerji (16-7 MMA, 3-4 UFC) in a unanimous decision on the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245.

“I would love to fight a Kai – not Asakura, but the other one: Kara-France,” Johnson said at the UFC Fight Night 245 post-fight press conference. “I would love to fight a Manel Kape. I would love to fight those guys in the top eight. I think I’ve done enough to show I’m ready for that.”

Johnson is hoping the UFC pushes him more in opportunity and promotion. He believes he could make big noise at 125 pounds, a division needed of big names.

“It feels like I’m getting every undefeated guy, every tough challenge before I get that opportunity and I just want to show them I’m an American, I can talk, I’ve got the swag,” Johnson said. “I’ve got everything this weight class needs. Y’all need somebody to market? These guys can’t speak English. Just because they’re foreign, I’ve got nothing against them. But they don’t know how to market themselves. Nobody is talking. … I just think I’m in a prime position to take over and do what needs to be done to make this a weight class people are excited about.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC Fight Night 245 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Darren Elkins’ $21,000 leads card

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid out more than $29 million to athletes since its deal began with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $155,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC Fight Night 245 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 245 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Su Mudaerji[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Cameron Smotherman[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jake Hadley[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Asu Almabayev[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Matheus Nicolau[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Jean Matsumoto[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Joselyne Edwards[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Tamires Vidal[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Elise Reed[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jessica Penne[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Melissa Martinez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Alice Ardelean[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Austen Lane[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Robelis Despaigne[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2451 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,644,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,381,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC Fight Night 245: Charles Johnson vs. Sumudaerji odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245 odds between Charles Johnson vs. Sumudaerji, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 3-round flyweight bout on the main card, Charles Johnson and Sumudaerji meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 245 — also known as UFC Vegas 99 and UFC on ESPN+ 103 — at the UFC Apex. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s UFC odds around the UFC Fight Night 245: Johnson vs. Sumudaerji odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+, and the main card begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Records: Johnson (16-6-0) | Sumudaerji (16-6-0)

Johnson has picked up 3 straight victories after a 3-bout losing skid from Feb. 24-Nov. 18, 2023. All 3 of the losses came via decision, too. He has ended up going the distance in 5 of his previous 6 fights. Last time out, he stopped Joshua Van in a 3rd-round KO/TKO on July 13, however.

Sumudaerji has dropped the past 2 bouts, each by submission, including a 1st-round loss to Tim Elliott. His last victory came in a unanimous decision against Zarrukh Adashev Jan. 20, 2021.

The 33-year-old Johnson has a slight 4.83-to-4.64 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, while he is also slightly more accurate than the Chinese southpaw at 56.79% to 55.94%.

In the ground game, neither is particularly strong, with Johnson posting a 0.38 takedown average, with Sumudaerji checking in at 0.29. The southpaw has a slight 0.59-to-0.50 lead in submission average.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC Fight Night 245: Johnson vs. Sumudaerji odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of UFC odds. Lines last updated at 12:50 p.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Johnson -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Sumudaerji +195 (bet $100 to win $195)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -185 | No +135)

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UFC Fight Night 245: Johnson vs. Sumudaerji picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

Johnson (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s way too expensive straight up. If you were to toss him into a multi-leg parlay, it could be excused.

Instead of playing Johnson on the 2-way line, look to the method of victory. JOHNSON BY DECISION/TECHNICAL DECISION (+100) at even-money is a much better play. He has ended up needing the help of the judges to determine a winner in 5 of his past 6 fights, and 7 of his 9 outings since joining the UFC.

Over/Under (O/U)

YES: FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE (-185) is a little on the pricey side, but if you’re wavering on the overall winner, and still want action the fight, this is the way to go.

Again, Johnson has ended up going the distance in 7 of his 9 fights at the UFC level, while Sumudaerji has had 2 decisions in the past 5 bouts.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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Charles Johnson vs. Su Mudaerji prediction, pick, start time for UFC Fight Night 245

Momentum is a big factor in Charles Johnson vs. Su Mudaerji at UFC Fight Night 245. Which trend will break?

[autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Su Mudaerji[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC Fight Night 245 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 3-3
UFC main cards, 2024: 87-77-3

Charles Johnson vs. Su Mudaerji UFC Fight Night 245 preview

Johnson (16-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) has seemed to figure things out since a three-fight skid nearly ended his UFC tenure. He enters as a winner of his last three fights, all of which have come in a very busy 2024 campaign. Johnson’s decision win over Azat Maksum in February was a Fight of the Night affair, and his third round finish of Joshua Van in July earned a Performance of the Night bonus. … Mudaerji (16-6 MMA, 3-3 UFC) will look to stay above .500, and return to the win column after being finished in back-to-back outings. Mudaerji’s last victory was a unanimous decision nod over Zarrukh Adashev in January 2021.

Charles Johnson vs. Su Mudaerji UFC Fight Night 245 expert pick, prediction

Filling out the main card is a flyweight attraction between Johnson and Mudaerji.

Considering that these two fighters were strangely booked with opposite momentum as far as their winning and losing streaks are concerned, I can see why the betting public is getting behind Johnson.

Many, including myself, have seen solid glimpses of Johnson’s skills and potential and have wanted to see him do well since stepping onto the UFC stage. And though the wins and losses have come down to the wire, Johnson appears to be hitting his stride as a fighter.

Mudaerji, on the other hand, has dealt with everything from injuries and inactivity to continual tough matchmaking.

Mudaerji appears to have been spending the last two fight camps at Team Alpha Male alongside Song Yadong, so I’m curious if we finally start to see the 28-year-old Tibetan turn a corner in his career as well.

Although this should be an easy pick to make for Johnson, I find myself semi-reluctantly wanting to take a flier on the other side.

Aside from the fact that it would be hilarious to see an Asian fighter ice “Inner G” after the borderline racist tweet he sent out this week (which, according to Johnson’s logic, is okay since “he likes anime”), Johnson has traditionally struggled with southpaws, officially standing at a shaky 1-2 opposite UFC-level lefties.

Even though my personal bias is admittedly at play, considering how fed up I am over repeated incidents like this involving Asian athletes in this sport/sports culture, in general, I’ll stand by my pick here.

All personal gripes aside, Johnson is one of the least trustworthy fighters from a gambling perspective, so I stay away from his fights – particularly when he’s the one who is favored.

The official pick is for Mudaerji to serve Johnson some much-needed humble pie with a surprising first-round knockout.

Charles Johnson vs. Su Mudaerji UFC Fight Night 245 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the American fighter, listing Johnson -225 and Su +180 via FanDuel.

Charles Johnson vs. Su Mudaerji UFC Fight Night 245 start time, how to watch

Johnson and Mudaerji are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 8:05 p.m. ET (5:05 p.m. PT). The fight will stream on ESPN+.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

Charles Johnson predicts bonus-winning destruction of Su Mudaerji at UFC Fight Night 245

Su Mudaerji has a theory that Charles Johnson will lead him to think he wants to stand and trade, but quickly will change his mind.

LAS VEGAS – Su Mudaerji has a theory that [autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag] will lead him to think he wants to stand and trade Saturday, but quickly will change his mind.

Mudaerji (16-6 MMA, 3-3 UFC), at media day for UFC Fight Night 245, said he fully expects a takedown from Johnson (16-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) when they have a featured flyweight throwdown Saturday. But that flies in the face of what Johnson said he wants.

And what he wants, he said, is a $50,000 performance bonus after he puts Mudaerji away.

“I’m thankful for another opportunity,” Johnson said at Wednesday’s media day at the UFC Apex. “I’m sad it wasn’t a ranked opponent, but understanding that it’s my third fight on this contract, it’s going to allow me to get to my next contract, and I think it’s a great moment for me to show the UFC exactly what I can be in this promotion.”

When he heard what Mudaerji thinks, he intimated a plan to make sure he leaves Vegas disappointed – no matter how it unfolds.

“I think that’s just insecurity,” Johnson said. “I think that I dominate everywhere in the fight. I think that he hopes that I stand with him. That’s his only means to win this fight. He’s not going to beat me in wrestling or jiu-jitsu, so he hopes to stroke my ego (saying he thinks I won’t stand and trade).

“But I’m going to pressure him from the go. It doesn’t matter what he wants to happen. I’m going to dominate him in every facet of this game. He may have a couple moments. But overall, when people see this fight and it’s over with, they would say Charles should be fighting for a title very soon.”

Check out Johnson’s full media day interview in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

With three straight wins, Charles Johnson wants spot in flyweight rankings after Joshua Van KO at UFC Denver

Charles Johnson wants a big step-up following his impressive KO at UFC Denver.

[autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag] wants to be among the world’s best.

Now on a three-fight winning streak, Johnson (16-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) is hoping he’s done enough to earn a spot in the UFC’s official flyweight rankings, which would open up the doors for bigger fights.

“Hopefully, I should be ranked,” Johnson told reporters (FanSided MMA) following his win at UFC on ESPN 59. “That’s three wins in a row. (No.) 14- and 15-(ranked) haven’t done nothing in this promotion for three fights in three years.

“… Let’s get some guys that been working and fighting everyone like myself, like (Allan) Nascimento vs. (Jafel Filho) – they’re fighting. I think one of them will earn a spot, too. I think guys are earning their way up.”

Johnson knocked out highly touted prospect Joshua Van at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 59 in Denver. It was a fight many expected him to lose, given the promise Van had show in previous outings.

Johnson knew he had it in him to get past Van, as he’s the present of the division – which is why he took the fight.

“I knew that Van had a couple of fights fall out on him, and he had been training,” Johnson said. “I knew that he was prepared to fight anyone, and I’m always ready, and I wanted to fight. If I wasn’t going to get a ranked opponent next, which it was what I was told, then why not fight the kid on a three-fight winning streak with a finish who’s being projected to be in the rankings soon? Why not fight him? It’s a fan-friendly fight. Everybody is going to love the fight, and I could show people that Charles Johnson is different.

“Van has a healthy future in this promotion, but he’s not there yet. Charles is. It’s time.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.

UFC on ESPN 59 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: 2024 total passes $4 million

The UFC has now issued more than $4 million in Promotional Guidelines Compliance to its fighters in 2024 after UFC Denver.

DENVER – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 59 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $180,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 59 took place at Ball Arena in Colorado. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 59 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Muslim Salikhov[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Santiago Ponzinibbio[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Jean Silva[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Drew Dober[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Gabriel Bonfim[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Ange Loosa[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Julian Erosa[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Christian Rodriguez[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Abdul Razak Alhassan[/autotag]: $11,000
vs. [autotag]Cody Brundage[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Joshua Van[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Jasmine Jasudavicius[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Fatima Kline[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Montel Jackson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Da’Mon Blackshear[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Luana Santos[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Mariya Agapova[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Andre Petroski[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Josh Fremd[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Evan Elder[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Darrius Flowers[/autotag]: $4,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $31,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-59 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $4,129,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $26,866,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.

UFC on ESPN 59 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

UFC on ESPN 59 video: Charles Johnson scores stunning upset KO of Joshua Van

Charles Johnson turned the tables on Joshua Van with a perfect uppercut en route to a huge upset win at UFC on ESPN 59.

[autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag] showed once again that he has zero quit in him by rallying to upset [autotag]Joshua Van[/autotag] 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.

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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):

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.”

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Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 59 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.

Cancellations soured Joshua Van before Charles Johnson stepped up: ‘I love everything he stands for’

Joshua Van had just about had it after four straight cancellations – but that’s when Charles Johnson raised his hand.

[autotag]Joshua Van[/autotag] proudly wore designation of one of the UFC’s most active fighters as 2023 turned into 2024 and he fell into a half-year of inactivity.

The break in the action wasn’t because Van (10-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) called timeout, which frustrates him even now that he has a fight on the books for Saturday at UFC on ESPN 59 in Denver.

“I’m just happy to have a fight,” Van recently told MMA Junkie. “It’s been six months that I haven’t fought. I’m just excited to get back. Hopefully this one goes through.”

In April, opponent Lucas Rocha pulled out to due to injury. Van was then booked for June 1 vs. Tatsuro Taira, but the promotion split the matchup and rebooked the fighters against different opponents for June 15.

On June 14, Van weighed in and made weight, but opponent Tagir Ulanbekov missed by 3.5 pounds and the fight was scrapped. Going through the entire process without a fight, Van lost his taste for fighting for a little while, he admitted.

“This is kind of getting annoying,” Van said. “I got to the point where I didn’t even want to train and sh*t like that. When I came back from Vegas two or three weeks ago, I didn’t even want to train, man. I just stayed at home for a week, a week and half. After that, that’s when my manager called me and I went back to training and sh*t like that. This thing is getting annoying.”

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Van’s coaches, teammates, and mother helped him eventually bring his motivation back. That’s when the phone rang. It was his manager Jason House. While the process from there was up and down, eventually Van found a willing combatant: [autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC).

“I got his name a day before I signed the contract,” Van said. “I said, ‘Yes, I want to fight him.’ Then, my manager called me a couple hours later and they gave me a different name. It was a better matchup. Not just a better matchup, but it was a better opportunity. I said, ‘I’d fight that guy.’ It turns out that guy doesn’t want to fight me. The next day, I think I sent Jason (House) a screenshot like, ‘I think Johnson wants to fight me. Why don’t we fight him?’ And he’s like, ‘All right, I’ll work on it.’ The next day, he sent me a contract.”

In a world where it’s “cool” to talk trash to your opponent, Van has nothing but respect and admiration for Johnson, the lone man willing to step up at this moment in time.

“I love it, I love it,” Van said. “I love everything he stands for. Like I said, he stepped up. A lot of people don’t want to fight me short notice. I know we’re both short notice, but he stepped up. Much respect to him. His style his crafty. Come fight day, it’s going to be who’s prepared more and stuff like that. I’m very, very excited for this one.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.