Almabaev ground out a victory over Johnson, controlling the fight on the mat before finishing with a Suloev stretch late in the third round. The bout featured creative grappling exchanges from both fighters throughout.
Jose Johnson fell to a third-round submission defeat on June 27, 2026, tapping out to a Suloev stretch as his opponent Almabaev secured the finish after controlling large portions of the contest on the ground.
Johnson, known by his nickname "Zhakwarius," entered the fight with a professional record of 16 wins and 10 losses, representing Twin Wolves MMA out of the United States. The 31-year-old orthodox striker stands six feet tall with a 71-inch reach and has shown a willingness to engage in grappling exchanges throughout his career, averaging 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His striking output sits at 2.27 significant strikes per minute with a notable 57 percent accuracy rate, suggesting a measured and efficient approach on the feet.
Almabaev dictated the terms of the bout by keeping the fight on the mat, where the Suloev stretch — a leg entanglement targeting the hip and knee — proved to be the decisive weapon late in the third round. The submission is a relatively uncommon finish at the professional level, underscoring the creative grappling that both men displayed across the contest.
Why it matters
- Almabaev's finishing ability via a rare submission technique signals strong technical ground skills heading into future matchups
- Johnson's record moves to 16-11, and back-to-back losses or a string of defeats could affect his divisional standing and future booking
- The bout's creative grappling exchanges may draw attention to both fighters as entertaining matchup options for fans who favor technical ground warfare
