Timothy Johnson

Timothy Johnson (born March 13, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2010, he has also competed for the UFC and Bellator MMA.

Mixed martial arts career After completing his collegiate career as a two-time All-American wrestler at Division II Minnesota State University Moorhead, Johnson made his professional mixed martial arts debut in October 2010. He competed primarily for regional organizations around his adopted home of North Dakota. He amassed a record of 7–1, finishing all of his opponents, before signing with the UFC on the heels of a first round finish of Travis Wiuff in October 2014.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Johnson made his promotional debut against Shamil Abdurakhimov on April 4, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 63. He won the fight via TKO in the final seconds of the first round.

Johnson next faced Jared Rosholt on August 8, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73. Despite staggering and nearly finishing Rosholt with strikes in the last minute of the fight, Johnson lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Johnson faced promotional newcomer Marcin Tybura on April 10, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 86. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Johnson next faced Alexander Volkov on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 99. Volkov was awarded a controversial split decision victory. 12 out of 12 media scores gave the bout to Johnson.

Johnson faced Daniel Omielańczuk on March 18, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 107. He won the back and forth fight by split decision (28–29, 30–27, and 29–28).

Johnson faced promotional newcomer Júnior Albini on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox 25. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Johnson faced Marcelo Golm on February 3, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 125. He won the fight via unanimous decision. The fight marked the last bout of his prevailing contract, and the UFC opted not to renew it.

Bellator MMA On April 13, 2018, it was revealed that Johnson had signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.

Johnson made his debut against Cheick Kongo on October 13, 2018, at Bellator 208. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Johnson was scheduled to face Azunna Anyanwu in the prelims of Bellator 225 on August 24, 2019. However, on the day of the fight, it was announced that Johnson would fill in for Javy Ayala and face former Bellator Heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov in the co main event. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Johnson next faced Tyrell Fortune at Bellator 239 on February 21, 2020. He won the fight by knockout in the first round.

Johnson next faced Matt Mitrione on August 7, 2020, at Bellator 243. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.

On October 10, 2020, Johnson rematched Cheick Kongo at Bellator 248 in Paris, France. He would avenge his previous loss to Kongo with a split-decision victory.

With heavyweight champion Ryan Bader moving on in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament, Johnson faced Valentin Moldavsky for the Bellator Interim Heavyweight World Championship at Bellator 261 on June 25, 2021. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Johnson faced Fedor Emelianenko on October 23, 2021, at Bellator 269. He lost the bout via knockout in the first round.

Johnson was scheduled to rematch Tyrell Fortune on April 15, 2022, at Bellator 277. However, on March 1, 2022, it was announced by Bellator that Johnson was expected to face Linton Vassell and Fortune was set to meet Steve Mowry in the event. Despite rocking Vassell early in the round, Johnson lost the bout via TKO at the end of the first.

Johnson faced Said Sowma on April 21, 2023, at Bellator 294. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Post Bellator Johnson headlined XFC 50 on April 12, 2024 against Darion Abbey. He won by technical knockout in the first round.

Professional Fighters League Johnson made his PFL debut on June 13, 2024 as he faced Danilo Marques at PFL 4. He won the bout via TKO in the first round.

Johnson next faced Denis Goltsov in the semifinals of the 2024 Heavyweight tournament at PFL 7 on August 2, 2024, losing the bout via TKO in the first round.

Johnson next stepped in as a short-notice replacement to face Vadim Nemkov at PFL Champions Series 1 on January 25, 2025. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

On March 5, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Johnson will join the 2025 PFL Heavyweight Tournament.

In the quarterfinal, Johnson faced Alexandr Romanov on May 1, 2025, at PFL 4. He lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.

Karate Combat Johnson competed in the 8-man "Last Man Standing" heavyweight tournament July 18, 2025 at Karate Combat 55. Johnson defeated Chase Sherman by knockout in the first round for the first bout, and lost to Robelis Despaigne by technical knockout in the first round for the second bout.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Daniel James KO (punch) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 10

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Alexander Romanov Submission (guillotine choke) PFL 4 (2025)

Orlando, Florida, United States Loss

Vadim Nemkov Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL Champions Series 1

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Loss

Denis Goltsov TKO (punches) PFL 7 (2024)

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Win

Danilo Marques TKO (punches) PFL 4 (2024)

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Darion Abbey TKO (punches) XFC 50

Lakeland, Florida, United States Win

Said Sowma Decision (unanimous) Bellator 294

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

Linton Vassell TKO (punches) Bellator 277

San Jose, California, United States Loss

Fedor Emelianenko KO (punches) Bellator 269

Moscow, Russia Loss

Valentin Moldavsky Decision (unanimous) Bellator 261

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Cheick Kongo Decision (split) Bellator 248

Paris, France Win

Matt Mitrione TKO (punches) Bellator 243

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Tyrell Fortune KO (punch) Bellator 239

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Vitaly Minakov KO (punches) Bellator 225

Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States Loss

Cheick Kongo KO (punches) Bellator 208

Uniondale, New York, United States Win

Marcelo Golm Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders

Belém, Brazil Loss

Júnior Albini TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum

Uniondale, New York, United States Win

Daniel Omielańczuk Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Manuwa vs. Anderson

London, England Loss

Alexander Volkov Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2

Belfast, Northern Ireland Win

Marcin Tybura Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rothwell vs. dos Santos

Zagreb, Croatia Loss

Jared Rosholt Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Saint Preux

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Win

Shamil Abdurakhimov TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas

Fairfax, Virginia, United States Win

Travis Wiuff TKO (punches) Dakota FC 19

Fargo, North Dakota, United States Win

Kevin Asplund Submission (front choke) Beatdown at 4 Bears 11

New Town, North Dakota, United States Win

Brett Murphy TKO (slam and punches) Dakota FC 18

Fargo, North Dakota, United States Win

Brian Heden TKO (punches) Dakota FC 17

Fargo, North Dakota, United States Win

Scott Hough Submission (arm-triangle choke) Max Fights 18

Fargo, North Dakota, United States Win

Dean Lamb TKO (submission to punches) Max Fights 17

Fargo, North Dakota, United States Win

Shane DeZee Submission (americana) Max Fights 16

Fargo, North Dakota, United States Loss

Lance Peterson Submission (kimura) Max Fights 13

Fargo, North Dakota, United States Win

Travis Wiley TKO (punchhes) Max Fights 11

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

Karate Combat record Loss

Robelis Despaigne TKO (punches)

Win

Chase Sherman TKO (punches)