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:
-
Charles Johnson defeated. Joshua Van by knockout (punches) – Round 3, 0:20
-
Jasmine Jasudavicius defeated. Fátima Kline by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
-
Montel Jackson defeated. Da’Mon Blackshear by KO (punch) – Round 1, 0:18
-
Luana Santos won. Mariya Agapova via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1, 3:27
-
André Petroski defeated. Josh Fremd by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
-
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
Share this
image
gallery
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
Share this
image
gallery
Evan Elder defeated. Darrius Flowers, UFC on ESPN 59 Scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Josh Fremd vs Andre Petroski, UFC on ESPN 59
Share this
image
gallery
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
Share this
image
gallery
André Petroski defeated. Josh Fremd, UFC on ESPN 59 Scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Luana Santos x Mariya Agapova, UFC on ESPN 59
Share this
image
gallery
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
Share this
image
gallery
Luana Santos won. Mariya Agapova, UFC on ESPN 59 Scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Montel Jackson vs Da’Mon Blackshear, UFC on ESPN 59
Share this
image
gallery
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
Share this
image
gallery
Montel Jackson vs. Da’Mon Blackshear, UFC on ESPN 59 Scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Fatima Kline, UFC on ESPN 59
Share this
image
gallery
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
Share this
image
gallery
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Fatima Kline, UFC on ESPN 59 Scorecard
Share this
image
gallery