Almabaev ground out a win over Johnson in a back-and-forth contest that went to the third round. He secured the finish with a stretch submission late in the final frame, with both fighters displaying creative ground work throughout the bout.
Aydos Almabaev picked up a third-round submission victory over Jose "Zhakwarius" Johnson in a competitive grappling-heavy contest that went the distance of its scheduled rounds before a late finish ended the bout on June 27, 2026.
Johnson, the 31-year-old American out of Twin Wolves MMA, came in with a professional record of 16 wins and 10 losses. Standing six feet tall with a 71-inch reach, he is an orthodox striker who lands 2.27 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 57 percent accuracy. Johnson also mixes in the grappling game, averaging 0.69 takedowns and 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat on the mat.
The fight lived up to its billing as a back-and-forth affair, with both men showcasing creative ground work across three rounds. Johnson's submission activity kept him dangerous throughout, but Almabaev ultimately proved the more effective grappler when it counted most, locking up a stretch submission late in the third frame to secure the stoppage.
Why it matters
- The late finish demonstrated Almabaev's composure and technical finishing ability when the fight reached championship-style territory in the third round.
- Johnson's active submission game kept him competitive throughout but was ultimately turned against him, highlighting the fine margins in high-level grappling exchanges.
- The result will factor into divisional positioning for both fighters, with Almabaev earning a stoppage win that carries more weight than a decision on any future ranking consideration.
