A prediction and pick for the Asu Almabayev versus Charles Johnson bout at UFC Baku has been published ahead of the card.
A prediction and fighter breakdown for the flyweight clash between Asu Almabayev and Charles Johnson at UFC Baku has been published ahead of the event, drawing attention to what shapes up as a compelling stylistic contrast at 125 pounds.
Almabayev, known as "Zulfikar," enters the bout ranked eighth in the flyweight division with an impressive 24-3-0 record. The 32-year-old Kazakhstani fighter representing DAR Pro Team stands five-foot-four with a 65-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. His game is built around relentless grappling pressure — he averages 4.46 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.5 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the more dangerous wrestlers in the division. He also connects at 50 percent striking accuracy, landing 2.31 significant strikes per minute.
Johnson, nicknamed "InnerG," brings a veteran 19-9-0 record into the fight and trains out of Murcielago MMA. The 35-year-old American stands five-foot-nine with a 70-inch reach and switches stances, giving him a notable size advantage over his Kazakhstani opponent. Johnson is the more active striker of the two, landing 4.77 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy, and he completes a modest 0.51 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Almabayev sits at number eight in the flyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance could push him toward title contention
- Johnson's six-inch reach advantage and higher striking output set up a classic wrestler-versus-striker dynamic
- A win for either fighter carries real divisional weight in a flyweight landscape that remains competitive top to bottom
