Carlos Johnson showed once again that he did not give up by coming together to disrupt Joshua Van at the UFC on ESPN 59.
Johnson (16-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) was a huge betting underdog to promising flyweight Van (10-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), and in the first two rounds at the Ball Arena in Denver, it looked like he it was a little out of his reach and on track for a decision loss.
But then the third round began, and Johnson surprised Van with a solid punch followed by a huge uppercut that led to the knockdown. He tapped and knocked him out at 0:20 of the third round, receiving impressive applause from the crowd (via X):
After the fight, an ecstatic Johnson, who has now won three fights in a row after losing three previous ones, said he is moving up the 125-pound rankings.
“I got this fight 11 days ago,” Johnson said in his post-fight interview with Paul Felder. “…UFC, let me see a ranking, baby.”
Updated UFC on ESPN 59 results include:
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Charles Johnson defeated. Joshua Van by knockout (punches) – Round 3, 0:20
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Jasmine Jasudavicius defeated. Fátima Kline by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Montel Jackson defeated. Da’Mon Blackshear by KO (punch) – Round 1, 0:18
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Luana Santos won. Mariya Agapova via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1, 3:27
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André Petroski defeated. Josh Fremd by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Evan Elder defeated. Darrius Flowers via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 2, 1:46
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ESPN 59.
Evan Elder vs Darrius Flowers, UFC on ESPN 59
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Elder vs Flowers
July 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Evan Elder (red gloves) celebrates the defeat of Darrius Flowers (blue gloves)…
July 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Evan Elder (red gloves) celebrates defeating Darrius Flowers (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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Evan Elder defeated. Darrius Flowers, UFC on ESPN 59 Scorecard
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Josh Fremd vs Andre Petroski, UFC on ESPN 59
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Fremd x Petroski
July 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Andre Petroski (blue gloves) celebrates the defeat of Josh Fremd (red gloves)…
July 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Andre Petroski (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Josh Fremd (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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André Petroski defeated. Josh Fremd, UFC on ESPN 59 Scorecard
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Luana Santos x Mariya Agapova, UFC on ESPN 59
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Santos x Agapova
July 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Luana Santos (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Mariya Agapova (blue…
July 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Luana Santos (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Mariya Agapova (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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Luana Santos won. Mariya Agapova, UFC on ESPN 59 Scorecard
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Montel Jackson vs Da’Mon Blackshear, UFC on ESPN 59
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Jackson x Blackshear
July 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Montal Jackson (red gloves) celebrates after knocking out Da’Mon Blackshear…
July 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Montal Jackson (red gloves) celebrates after knocking out Da’Mon Blackshear (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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Montel Jackson vs. Da’Mon Blackshear, UFC on ESPN 59 Scorecard
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Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Fatima Kline, UFC on ESPN 59
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Jasudavicius x Kline
July 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Jasmine Jasudavicius (red gloves) celebrates after fight against Fátima…
July 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Jasmine Jasudavicius (red gloves) celebrates after fighting Fatima Kline (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Fatima Kline, UFC on ESPN 59 Scorecard
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