This UFC Shanghai winner urgently needed his result during Saturday's event.
The newest UFC fighting evening of the promotion took place in China and contained a number of remarkable performances, including Johnny Walker's victory over Zhang Mingyang in the main event and the one-sided victory of Aljamain Sterling on Brian Ortega.
The UFC Shanghai undercard was also not a shortage of strong displays, no more than Charles Johnson's Come-From-Behind ending against the highly promoted Lone'er Kavanagh to earn a performance of the night bonus worth $ 50,000.
And more than just promoting his career goals at 125 pounds, the result of Saturday was crucial for reasons away from the Octagon.
Charles Johnson's manager had to borrow him money for a crazy UFC Shanghai Ko
Johnson's trip to China saw him enter the cage for the 12th time as a UFC hunter. 'INNERGE' has remained incredibly active since he joined the promotion in 2022 after a reign as LFA flight weight champion.
But those efforts apparently were not enough to leave the American financially comfortable, as Ariel Helwani reported after UFC Shanghai.
The Canadian went to X to reveal that he was told that Johnson had to be borrowed from his manager in the run -up to the event of August 23, because his bank account was empty.
“Charles Johnson's bank account went on red this week, says his team,” wrote Helwani.
“His manager Brian Butler borrowed him some money. Johnson now has a baby that arrives every day.
“I have this big ko. Also got a bonus. First victory of 2025. Congratulations @innergmma_ufc,” he added.
Charles Johnson's bank account went on red this week, says his team, tells me,
His manager Brian Butler borrowed some money. Johnson now has a baby every day.
I have this big ko. I also have a bonus. First victory of 2025. Congratulations @innergmma_ufc 🫡 pic.twitter.com/eofs7on6sm
– Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 23, 2025
View tweet
Charles Johnson won four UFC fights in 2024, but was still struggling financially
The financial struggles of Johnson come despite the fact that the flight weight candidate is one of the most active hunters of the promotion and all four of his matchups won last year.
After he had introduced the year on a three -ferin loss of Skid, 'Innerg' enjoyed an incredible run that marked him as one of the most successful athletes of 2024 in the UFC.
A series of four consecutive victories included Johnson who eliminated Joshua, who is expected to be the next one in line to challenge Alexandre Pantoja after victories in successive pay-per-views last June.
Johnson has continued to rise against newcomers and promising prospects outside the top 15, to the great frustration of many fans and analysts. And the revelation of his financial misery has only increased anger towards the UFC.
“Unless he is terrible with money, it is a shame that a guy is as active as he wins largely, can be broken. Bad look for the UFC,” wrote a fan on X.
Others shared similar feelings.
“In 2024 he won 4 fights and 2 bonuses, how can he be bankrupt?”
“Pay Charles Johnson, he has defeated promising prospects by KO 2.”
“None of these hunters should be worried about money. PFL hunters seem to do better financially?”