Charles Johnson sees nothing but the Joshua bus that he stopped a year ago and that at UFC 317.
The non -bred UFC fly weight comes from a fantastic schedule of 2024. In 8 months, Johnson changed a three -fighter -losing skid in a profit streak with four fights with $ 100,000 in performance bonuses.
Between the almost finishes of Jake Hadley and Sumadaerji, Johnson became the first hunter to stop the current #1-mededier Joshua in the distance when he scored an uppercut knockout in UFC Denver on 11 July 2024.
This is the only UFC loss of Van Van and he has since been reflected with five consecutive victories, his last a decision victory on Brandon Royval. Van Van is expected to champion Alexandre Pantoja champion before the title later this year or early 2026.
In the meantime, Johnson is not and strives for his seventh undefeated opponent, Lone'er Kavanagh, in UFC Shanghai after losing his last fight against the 19-2 Ramazan Temirov.
Johnson spoke with Bloody Elbow with regard to delivery van that shoots to the top and his own career process.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Charles Johnson claims that he 'gets harder' than Joshua van van
Royval vs. Van is perhaps the best fight of 2025.
After 15 minutes of striking action, the deal of their title -eliminator was able to seal with a late knock -down from Royval from the third round. Van won a unanimous decision about the jury's score cards.
Both Royval and his former enemies of Johnson's.
“I thought it was a good fight,” said Johnson about Royval vs. From UFC 317.
“I thought Roy Val allowed the fight to stay in the Joshua ball park. I think Royval has much more tools than what he showed in that fight, and I thought he allowed the fight to get away from him.
“And he fought with a lot of ego, just knowing what he can do. Like, seeing what he can do, view him. I don't know where his mind and body was for that fight, but regardless of that it was a great fight.
“They both fought very well. But for me I saw nothing but a year ago,” Johnson said about Van.
“Van was hit 200 times, man. Royval did that too. And so for me it is as if I didn't need 200 punches. I have hit harder. I didn't need 200 punches. I showed that. I dropped my last three or four opponents. I did not excitate them.
“But I know it is not a fight that I will come back soon,” Johnson said about a rematch with Van.
Charles Johnson wants Brandon Moreno after the next fight
As soon as the #13-ranged flying weight in the world, Johnson will try to re-enter the ranking with a victory over the 9-0 Lone'er Kavanagh on August 23 in Shanghai.
4-1 In his last five, from a loss for Temirov, Johnson says that he could be 1-2 fighting from a top dog in the division as former champion Brandon Moreno.
However, Johnson first has things to take care of.
“I have to go out and beat a 9-0 child that will bring me into a position and hopefully get a chance,” said Johnson.
“I call it. I want Brandon Moreno. I want the caliber of a fight. I have the feeling that I deserve it. Maybe I have to win another. Maybe it's not the next fight, but the fight after that, hell yes. I want to see a Brandon Moreno.”
Moreno is at #2 in the division and is fresh from back-to-back main event wins.
“I want to see that combat caliber because I know I deserve it. The fans know that I deserve it. I performed every time. I did everything they asked of me,” Johnson continued.
“So watching that fight, man, it just gave me a lot of motivation,” Johnson said about Royval vs. By.
“I hit the gym very hard all week – I didn't stop training. I have the itching. I am there. Although it feels like it's so far away, I know that I am exactly to the Van Look's process. It gives me a little more motivation.
“Things happen for people in different times. And luckily for him he is able to get his mother a house. He is a young guy, man. I hope he does the right thing with his money and he is blessed, man. So, congratulations and I know my time is coming …”