Flyweight contender Asu Almabayev has offered his assessment of upcoming opponent Charles Johnson, describing him as a skilled, experienced, and artistic fighter. Almabayev acknowledged the dangers Johnson presents, noting that Johnson has knocked out Joshua Van, but said he has no fear heading into the fight. The Kazakh fighter vowed to battle until the end and use every opportunity to come out on top.
Flyweight contender Asu Almabayev has gone on record ahead of his upcoming UFC bout against Charles Johnson, expressing calm confidence despite acknowledging the genuine threat his American opponent poses.
Almabayev, known by the nickname "Zulfikar," carries a 24-3 record into the contest and currently sits eighth in the UFC flyweight rankings. The 32-year-old Kazakh fighter out of DAR Pro Team has built his reputation as a relentless grappler, averaging an impressive 4.46 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.5 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He strikes at 50 percent accuracy, though his output of 2.31 significant strikes per minute suggests he prefers to control opponents on the mat rather than trade at range.
Johnson, nicknamed "InnerG," brings a wealth of experience to the matchup with a 19-9 record and 35 years of age. The switch-stance American trains out of Murcielago MMA and owns a notable size advantage over Almabayev, standing five-foot-nine with a 70-inch reach compared to Almabayev's five-foot-four frame and 65-inch reach. Johnson lands 4.77 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and also mixes in occasional grappling, averaging 0.51 takedowns and 0.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Almabayev specifically called out Johnson's knockout of Joshua Van — the reigning flyweight champion — as evidence of the danger his opponent carries. Van, a 24-year-old from Myanmar, lands a remarkable 8.84 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy, making Johnson's ability to stop him a meaningful credential. Despite that acknowledgment, Almabayev was direct in stating he has no fear and intends to fight to the finish, using every opportunity presented to secure the victory.
Why it matters
- A win for Almabayev, currently ranked eighth, would likely push him closer to title contention in a stacked flyweight division
- Johnson's knockout of champion Joshua Van signals heavy hands that contrast sharply with Almabayev's grappling-first approach
- The stylistic matchup pits elite wrestling and submission threats against a longer, versatile striker with proven finishing power
