Timothy Johnson (fighter)

Timothy Johnson (born March 13, 1985)[5] is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2010, he has also competed for the UFC and Bellator MMA.

Timothy Johnson
Born (1985-03-13) March 13, 1985 (age 39)
Lamberton, Minnesota, United States
ResidenceLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Weight264 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach78 in (198 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofFargo, North Dakota, United States
TeamAcademy of Combat Arts
Xtreme Couture[3]
WrestlingNCAA Division II Wrestling[4]
Years active2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total27
Wins18
By knockout10
By submission3
By decision5
Losses9
By knockout5
By submission1
By decision3
UniversityMinnesota State University Moorhead
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

After completing his collegiate career as a two-time All-American wrestler at Division II Minnesota State University Moorhead, Johnson made his professional mixed martial arts debut in October 2010. He competed primarily for regional organizations around his adopted home of North Dakota. He amassed a record of 7–1, finishing all of his opponents, before signing with the UFC on the heels of a first round finish of Travis Wiuff in October 2014.[6]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Johnson made his promotional debut against Shamil Abdurakhimov on April 4, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 63.[7] He won the fight via TKO in the final seconds of the first round.[8]

Johnson next faced Jared Rosholt on August 8, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73.[9] Despite staggering and nearly finishing Rosholt with strikes in the last minute of the fight, Johnson lost the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

Johnson faced promotional newcomer Marcin Tybura on April 10, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 86.[11] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[12]

Johnson next faced Alexander Volkov on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 99.[13] Volkov was awarded a controversial split decision victory.[14] 12 out of 12 media scores gave the bout to Johnson.[15]

Johnson faced Daniel Omielańczuk on March 18, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 107.[16] He won the back and forth fight by split decision (28–29, 30–27, and 29–28).[17]

Johnson faced promotional newcomer Júnior Albini on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox 25.[18] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[19]

Johnson faced Marcelo Golm on February 3, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 125.[20] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[21] The fight marked the last bout of his prevailing contract, and the UFC opted not to renew it.[22]

Bellator MMA

On April 13, 2018, it was revealed that Johnson had signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.[23]

Johnson made his debut against Cheick Kongo on October 13, 2018, at Bellator 208.[24] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Johnson was scheduled to face Azunna Anyanwu in the prelims of Bellator 225 on August 24, 2019. However, on the day of the fight, it was announced that Johnson would fill in for Javy Ayala and face former Bellator Heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov in the co main event.[25] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Johnson next faced Tyrell Fortune at Bellator 239 on February 21, 2020.[26] He won the fight by knockout in the first round.

Johnson next faced Matt Mitrione on August 7, 2020, at Bellator 243.[27] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[28]

On October 10, 2020, Johnson rematched Cheick Kongo at Bellator 248 in Paris, France. He would avenge his previous loss to Kongo with a split-decision victory.[29]

With heavyweight champion Ryan Bader moving on in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament, Johnson faced Valentin Moldavsky for the Bellator Interim Heavyweight World Championship at Bellator 261 on June 25, 2021.[30] He lost the bout by unanimous decision.[31]

Johnson faced Fedor Emelianenko on October 23, 2021, at Bellator 269.[32] He lost the bout via knockout in the first round.[33]

Johnson was scheduled to rematch Tyrell Fortune on April 15, 2022, at Bellator 277.[34] However, on March 1, 2022, it was announced by Bellator that Johnson was expected to face Linton Vassell and Fortune was set to meet Steve Mowry in the event.[35] Despite rocking Vassell early in the round, Johnson lost the bout via TKO at the end of the first.[36]

Johnson faced Said Sowma on April 21, 2023, at Bellator 294.[37] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[38]

Post Bellator

Johnson headlined XFC 50 on April 12, 2024 against Darion Abbey.[39] He won by technical knockout in the first round.[40]

PFL

Johnson made his debut with the Professional Fighters League on June 13, 2024 as he faced Danilo Marques at PFL 4. He won the bout via TKO in the first round.[41]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
27 matches18 wins9 losses
By knockout105
By submission31
By decision53
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win18–9Danilo MarquesTKO (punches)PFL 4 (2024)June 13, 202413:14Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win17–9Darion AbbeyTKO (punches)XFC 50April 12, 202411:42Lakeland, Florida, United States
Win16–9Said SowmaDecision (unanimous)Bellator 294April 21, 202335:00Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss15–9Linton VassellTKO (punches)Bellator 277April 15, 202214:21San Jose, California, United States
Loss15–8Fedor EmelianenkoKO (punches)Bellator 269October 23, 202111:46Moscow, Russia
Loss15–7Valentin MoldavskyDecision (unanimous)Bellator 261June 25, 202155:00Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesFor the interim Bellator Heavyweight World Championship.
Win15–6Cheick KongoDecision (split)Bellator 248October 10, 202035:00Paris, France
Win14–6Matt MitrioneTKO (punches)Bellator 243August 7, 202013:14Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win13–6Tyrell FortuneKO (punch)Bellator 239February 21, 202012:35Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss12–6Vitaly MinakovKO (punches)Bellator 225August 24, 201911:45Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Loss12–5Cheick KongoKO (punches)Bellator 208October 13, 201811:08Uniondale, New York, United States
Win12–4Marcelo GolmDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. AndersFebruary 3, 201835:00Belém, Brazil
Loss11–4Júnior AlbiniTKO (punches)UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. GastelumJuly 22, 201712:51Uniondale, New York, United States
Win11–3Daniel OmielańczukDecision (split)UFC Fight Night: Manuwa vs. AndersonMarch 18, 201735:00London, England
Loss10–3Alexander VolkovDecision (split)UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2November 19, 201635:00Belfast, Northern Ireland
Win10–2Marcin TyburaDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Rothwell vs. dos SantosApril 10, 201635:00Zagreb, Croatia
Loss9–2Jared RosholtDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Saint PreuxAugust 8, 201535:00Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win9–1Shamil AbdurakhimovTKO (punches)UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. LamasApril 4, 201514:57Fairfax, Virginia, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win8–1Travis WiuffTKO (punches)Dakota FC 19October 25, 201413:36Fargo, North Dakota, United StatesDefended the Dakota FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win7–1Kevin AsplundSubmission (front choke)Beatdown at 4 Bears 11June 7, 201412:41New Town, North Dakota, United StatesDefended the Dakota FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win6–1Brett MurphyTKO (slam and punches)Dakota FC 18April 26, 201421:17Fargo, North Dakota, United StatesDefended the Dakota FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win5–1Brian HedenTKO (punches)Dakota FC 17January 11, 201422:56Fargo, North Dakota, United StatesWon the Dakota FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win4–1Scott HoughSubmission (arm-triangle choke)Max Fights 18October 26, 201314:56Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Win3–1Dean LambTKO (submission to punches)Max Fights 17March 23, 201310:34Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Win2–1Shane DeZeeSubmission (americana)Max Fights 16November 17, 201210:49Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Loss1–1Lance PetersonSubmission (kimura)Max Fights 13March 19, 201122:52Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Win1–0Travis WileyTKO (punchhes)Max Fights 11October 30, 201012:23Fargo, North Dakota, United States

See also

References