Brett Johns

Last updated

Brett Johns
BornThomas Brett Johns [1]
(1992-02-21) 21 February 1992 (age 32)
Swansea, Wales
Other namesThe Pikey
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
Division Lightweight
Featherweight
Bantamweight
Reach71 in (180 cm)
Fighting out of Swansea, Wales
TeamChris Rees Academy (2008–2020) [2]
Shore MMA (2020–present) [3]
RankBlack belt in Judo [4]
Brown belt in Muay Thai [4]
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Chris Rees [5]
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins20
By knockout4
By submission6
By decision10
Losses5
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Thomas Brett Johns [1] (born 21 February 1992) is a Welsh professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the featherweight division of PFL. Prior to signing with PFL, Johns competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA at bantamweight. A professional competitor since 2012, he has also formerly competed for Cage Warriors and Titan FC, and was Bantamweight Champion for both promotions. [4]

Contents

Background

Johns was born and raised by a single mother in Pontarddulais. [6] He has an older sister and two younger brothers. [6] Brett started training judo in a club run by his to-be-stepfather at the age of four. [7] While avidly training judo, he started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu on his stepfather's advice to improve his ground game at the age of 16. [7] While training jiu-jitsu under Chris Rees, Johns eventually grew an interest towards mixed arts. [7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Johns made his mixed martial arts debut as an amateur in 2011 where he compiled an undefeated record of 4–0. [8] He turned professional in 2012 and competed on the regional circuit with stints in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship and Titan Fighting Championships where he was the Bantamweight Champion for each promotion.[ citation needed ]

Johns signed with the UFC in 2016. [9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Johns made his promotional debut on 19 November 2016 against Kwan Ho Kwak at UFC Fight Night 99. [10] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [11]

Johns was expected to face Ian Entwistle on 18 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 107. [12] Entwistle missed weight at the weigh-ins – coming in at 139lbs, 3lbs over the bantamweight limit of 136lbs. He forfeited 20% of his fight purse to his opponent. The following day, Entwistle's medical clearance was revoked following a trip the hospital and the bout was cancelled. [13]

Johns was expected to face Mitch Gagnon on 16 July 2017 at UFC Fight Night 113. [14] However, Gagnon was removed from the card on 27 June and replaced by Albert Morales. [15] Johns won the bout by unanimous decision. [16]

Johns faced Joe Soto on 1 December 2017 at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale. [17] Johns won the bout by submission due to a calf slicer (the 2nd Calf Slicer in UFC history). [18] This win earned him Performance of the Night bonus. [19]

Johns faced Aljamain Sterling on 21 April 2018 at UFC Fight Night 128. [20] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [21]

Johns faced Pedro Munhoz on 4 August 2018 at UFC 227. [22] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [23]

Johns faced Tony Gravely on 25 January 2020 at UFC Fight Night 166. [24] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round three. [25] This win earned him the Fight of the Night award. [26]

Johns faced Montel Jackson on 19 July 2020 at UFC Fight Night 172. [27] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [28]

Bellator MMA

On 2 October 2020, Johns revealed he had signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA after testing free agency when his UFC contract expired. [29] Johns was expected to make his Bellator debut on 21 May 2021 at Bellator 259 against Matheus Mattos. [30] [31] However, Mattos pulled out from the bout after contracting COVID-19 and was replaced by former Titan FC bantamweight champion Danny Sabatello. [32] Johns lost the bout via unanimous decision. [33]

Johns was scheduled to face Érik Pérez on 16 October 2021 at Bellator 268. [34] However on 5 October it was announced that Perez was injured and the bout was scrapped. [35]

Johns faced Khurshed Kakhorov on 25 February 2022 at Bellator 275. [36] He won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the third round. [37]

Johns was scheduled to face James Gallagher on 23 September 2022 at Bellator 285. [38] However in August, it was announced that Gallagher pulled out of the bout due to unknown reasons. [39] Jordan Winski was picked as a replacement for Gallagher. [40] Johns won the bout via unanimous decision. [41]

Johns was scheduled to face Marcirley Alves on 12 May 2023 at Bellator 296. [42] However, the week of the event, Johns pulled out due to staph infection. [43]

Professional Fighters League

After completing his contract, Johns signed with the PFL and made his debut against David Tonatiuh Crol on 8 December 2023 at PFL Europe 4. [44] He won the fight by TKO in the third round. [45]

Johns faced Timur Khizriev on April 19, 2024 at PFL 3 (2024). [46] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. [47]

Johns next faced Tyler Diamond at PFL 6 (2024) on June 28, 2024. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [48]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
25 matches20 wins5 losses
By knockout40
By submission60
By decision105
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss20–5Tyler DiamondDecision (unanimous) PFL 6 (2024) June 28, 202435:00 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Loss20–4Timur KhizrievDecision (unanimous) PFL 3 (2024) April 19, 202435:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win20–3David Tonatiuh CrolTKO (punches) PFL Europe 4 (2023) December 8, 202333:09 Dublin, IrelandReturn to Featherweight.
Win19–3Jordan WinskiDecision (unanimous) Bellator 285 September 23, 202235:00 Dublin, Ireland
Win18–3Khurshed KakhorovTKO (punches) Bellator 275 February 25, 202233:00 Dublin, Ireland
Loss17–3 Danny Sabatello Decision (unanimous) Bellator 259 May 21, 202135:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win17–2 Montel Jackson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2 July 19, 202035:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win16–2 Tony Gravely Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos January 25, 202032:53 Raleigh, North Carolina, United StatesFight of the Night.
Loss15–2 Pedro Munhoz Decision (unanimous) UFC 227 August 4, 201835:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Loss15–1 Aljamain Sterling Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee April 21, 201835:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win15–0 Joe Soto Submission (calf slicer) The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale December 1, 201710:30 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win14–0 Albert Morales Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio July 16, 201735:00 Glasgow, Scotland
Win13–0Kwak Kwan-hoDecision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2 November 19, 201635:00 Belfast, Northern Ireland
Win12–0Anthony GutierrezDecision (split) Titan FC 34 July 18, 201555:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesJohns missed weight (136.8 lb) and was stripped of the Titan FC Bantamweight Championship. Only Gutierrez was eligible to win the title.
Win11–0 Walel Watson Submission (rear-naked choke)Titan FC 33March 20, 201523:06 Mobile, Alabama, United StatesWon the Titan FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win10–0James BrumDecision (unanimous)Cage Warriors FC 67April 12, 201455:00 Swansea, WalesJohns missed weight (137 lb) and was stripped of the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship. Only Brum was eligible to win the title.
Win9–0Jordan DesboroughDecision (split)Cage Warriors 59September 14, 201355:00 Cardiff, WalesWon the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Tournament and the vacant Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship.
Win8–0David HaggstromDecision (unanimous)35:00Cage Warriors Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win7–0James MacCallisterTKO (punches)Cage Warriors 54May 4, 201323:23 Cardiff, WalesBantamweight debut.
Win6–0Joe OrreySubmission (armbar)Pain Pit Fight Night 6February 3, 201313:59 Newport, WalesWon the PPFN Bantamweight (145 lb) Championship.
Win5–0Barrie MontyTKO (punches)Bad Blood Fight Night 2November 24, 201211:17 Llanelli, Wales
Win4–0Sam GilbertDecision (unanimous)Cage Warriors 49October 27, 201235:00 Cardiff, Wales
Win3–0Kyle ProsserDecision (unanimous)Pain Pit Fight Night 4September 1, 201235:00 Newport, WalesFeatherweight debut.
Win2–0Arunis KlimaviciusSubmission (triangle choke)Celtic Battle Fight NightJuly 14, 201212:31 Carmarthen, Wales
Win1–0Ben WoodSubmission (rear-naked choke)Pain Pit Fight Night 3June 30, 201212:04 Newport, WalesLightweight debut.

See also

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