Asu Almabayev defeated Johnson via a Suleymanova stretch submission at the end of the third round in a dynamic and competitive fight. Both fighters showed creative grappling exchanges on the ground throughout the contest before Almabayev secured the finish.
Asu Almabayev extended his winning ways on June 27, 2026, submitting Johnson in the third round with a Suleymanova stretch to earn a hard-fought finish in a flyweight contest that delivered genuine excitement from start to finish.
Almabayev, known by his nickname Zulfikar, enters the win with a record of 24-3-0 and holds the number eight ranking in the flyweight division. The 32-year-old Kazakhstani fighter trains out of DAR Pro Team and brings a well-rounded skill set to every appearance. His grappling-heavy approach was on full display throughout the bout, and his numbers back that style up — he averages 4.46 takedowns per 15 minutes and submits at a rate of 1.5 attempts per 15 minutes. His striking is no afterthought either, with a 50 percent accuracy rate and 2.31 significant strikes landed per minute. Standing at 163 cm with a 65-inch reach, he operates as an orthodox fighter who applies persistent pressure once the fight hits the mat.
The contest was described as dynamic and competitive, with both men trading creative grappling exchanges across all three rounds before Almabayev ultimately imposed his will. The Suleymanova stretch, a relatively uncommon submission hold, came at the very end of the third frame to seal the result.
Why it matters
- Almabayev's win keeps him relevant in the flyweight top ten and strengthens his case for a higher-ranked opponent next.
- The submission finish adds to his reputation as a dangerous grappler capable of finding creative finishes, not just grinding out decisions.
- A back-and-forth contest that went deep into the third round signals Almabayev can sustain pressure and execute technically under fatigue.
