Almabaev defeated Johnson by working him down in the third round, securing the win with a Suloev stretch submission finish late in the fight. The bout featured dynamic and creative grappling exchanges from both fighters throughout all three rounds.
Tagir Almabaev claimed a decision victory over Jose "Zhakwarius" Johnson on June 27, 2026, with the fight's defining moment arriving late as Almabaev locked in a Suloev stretch submission finish in the third round to seal the result.
Johnson, a 31-year-old orthodox fighter from the United States representing Twin Wolves MMA, came in with a 16-10 record and demonstrated the kind of active grappling game that has defined his career. Standing six feet tall with a 71-inch reach, Johnson averages 2.27 significant strikes landed per minute at an impressive 57 percent accuracy, and he also brings a submission threat of his own, averaging 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He was far from a passive participant across the three rounds.
Despite the competitive back-and-forth exchanges on the ground, it was Almabaev who controlled the narrative with more creative and effective grappling throughout the contest. His ability to work Johnson down across three rounds before applying the rare Suloev stretch — a submission rarely seen at any level of mixed martial arts — underscored the technical depth he brought into the fight.
Why it matters
- The Suloev stretch finish is an uncommon submission that signals elite positional and limb control on the mat
- Both fighters showed dynamic grappling throughout, making this a technically rich contest for the division
- Johnson's solid striking accuracy and submission activity made the win no straightforward task for Almabaev
- The result adds a notable finish to Almabaev's record against an experienced opponent with significant professional experience
