Charles Johnson scores upset KO of Joshua Van

Charles Johnson showed once again that he has zero quit in him by rallying to upset Joshua Van at UFC on ESPN 59.

Johnson (16-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) was a sizeable betting underdog to hyped flyweight prospect Van (10-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), and for the first two rounds at Ball Arena in Denver, it looked like he was slightly out of his depth and en route to a decision loss.

But then the third round began, and Johnson stunned Van with a crisp punch followed by a huge uppercut that led to the knockdown. He pounded and got the knockout at the 0:20 mark of Round 3 to a stunning applause from the crowd (via X):

HE FINISHED HIM EARLY 😱@InnerGmma_UFC gets the third round KO to finish up our #UFCDenver prelims! pic.twitter.com/opvOu6Xott

— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2024

That’s 3 in a row for Charles Johnson & his 3rd this year! @InnerGmma_UFC is on a HOT streak in 2024 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iyhwcme1ax

— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2024

After the fight, an ecstatic Johnson, who has now won three straight fights after losing three prior, said he’s on the way up in the 125-pound rankings.

“I got this fight 11 days ago,” Johnson said in his post-fight interview with Paul Felder. “… UFC, let me get a ranking, baby.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 59 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.