Kajan Johnson
Kajan Johnson (born April 21, 1984) is a Canadian mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the lightweight division of the UFC. A professional competitor since 2002, he is also known for competing The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia for Team Canada, as well as the MFC and King of the Cage.[4]
Kajan Johnson | |
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Kajan Johnson at UFN 136 in Moscow | |
Born | Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada | April 21, 1984
Other names | Ragin |
Nationality | Canadian |
Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1] |
Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) |
Division | Lightweight |
Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
Fighting out of | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Team | Tristar Gym (2011–present)[2] |
Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3] |
Years active | 2002–present |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 37 |
Wins | 23 |
By knockout | 5 |
By submission | 11 |
By decision | 7 |
Losses | 13 |
By knockout | 4 |
By submission | 4 |
By decision | 5 |
Draws | 1 |
Other information | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Johnson made his MMA debut in 2002, going 4–4 by years end. Johnson then made his MFC debut losing to Chad Hanseh.
Starting on October 2005, Johnson went 11–1–1 over five years with his only loss coming in a title fight for the KOTC Canadian Lightweight Championship against future UFC top contender and training partner Rory MacDonald.[5] He also captured the XMMA Lightweight title.[6]
Johnson would make his return to MFC at MFC 23 taking on Ryan Machan. He lost via submission in the first round.
Johnson was set to take on Orestes Betran at MFC 27.[7] Betran then pulled out of the match and was replaced with a veteran of 29 fights at the time, Ryan Healy.[8] He won via unanimous decision.
The Ultimate Fighter
In late 2013 it was announced that Johnson will be one of the Canadian fighters picked to be on TUF Nations Team Canada.[9]
In episode 1, Johnson is picked to fight first against Australia's own Brendan O’Reilly. Johnson states that he is injured, but that he always fights injured. Despite the injuries, Johnson implies he is still more dangerous than anybody else in the house. Johnson gives Canada their first win with a rear-naked choked in the first round.[10]
In episode 10, Johnson was set to face his teammate Chad Laprise in the semi finals. Johnson lost via KO in the second round. Johnson's jaw was broken from the punch.[11]
After the show Johnson was noted as the reason for the removal of fellow TUF Nations contestant Tyler Manawaroa from the UFC after claiming Tyler was a racist due to an image posted on his personal Instagram. Tyler was of native New Zealand Maori descent and later explained it was the actions of a schoolboy making fun of himself and his own heritage, as in Australia many Aboriginals, Maoris and Polynesians consider themselves 'dark-skinned' or 'non-white'.[12] Kajan later apologised though nevertheless Tyler was removed from the UFC roster and remains inactive yet undefeated .[13]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Johnson made his promotional debut at UFC 174, taking on Tae Hyun Bang.[14] He lost via knockout in the third round. They both earned Fight of the Night honors.[15]
Johnson was then set to face Zhang Lipeng on May 16, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 66.[16] He won via unanimous decision.[17]
Johnson faced Naoyuki Kotani on September 27, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 75.[18] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[19]
Returning from a near two year hiatus, Johnson faced Adriano Martins at UFC 215 on September 9, 2017.[20] He won the fight via knockout in the third round.[21]
Johnson was scheduled to face Rustam Khabilov on March 17, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 127.[22] However, Khabilov pulled out of the fight citing injury and was replaced by Stevie Ray.[23] He won the fight via split decision.[24]
Johnson faced Islam Makhachev on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30.[25] He lost the fight via armbar submission in the first round.[26]
The fight with Rustam Khabilov was rescheduled and eventually took place on September 15, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 136.[27] Johnson lost the back-and-forth fight by split decision.[28]
On September 29, 2018, Johnson revealed that the fight with Khabilov was the last of his then-current contract and UFC had not made any gesture for re-signing Johnson.[29]
Championships and achievements
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One time)
- Xtreme MMA
- XMMA Lightweight Title (One time)
- MMAJunkie.com
- 2018 Robbery of the Year vs. Rustam Khabilov[30]
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown | ||
37 matches | 23 wins | 13 losses |
By knockout | 5 | 6 |
By submission | 11 | 2 |
By decision | 7 | 5 |
Draws | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 23–14–1 | Rustam Khabilov | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oliynyk | September 15, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
Loss | 23–13–1 | Islam Makhachev | Submission (armbar) | UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 | July 28, 2018 | 1 | 4:43 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
Win | 23–12–1 | Stevie Ray | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov | March 17, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
Win | 22–12–1 | Adriano Martins | KO (punch) | UFC 215 | September 9, 2017 | 3 | 0:49 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
Win | 21–12–1 | Naoyuki Kotani | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Barnett vs. Nelson | September 27, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
Win | 20–12–1 | Zhang Lipeng | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Faber | May 16, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | |
Loss | 19–12–1 | Tae Hyun Bang | KO (punch) | UFC 174 | June 14, 2014 | 3 | 2:01 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Fight of the Night. |
Win | 19–11–1 | Richie Whitson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | MFC 31: Rundown | October 7, 2011 | 1 | 3:52 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
Win | 18–11–1 | Ryan Healy | Decision (unanimous) | MFC 27: Breaking Point | November 12, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Enoch, Alberta, Canada | Catchweight (158 lbs) bout; Healy missed weight. |
Loss | 17–11–1 | Ryan Machan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | MFC 23: Unstoppable | December 4, 2009 | 1 | 3:30 | Enoch, Alberta, Canada | |
Win | 17–10–1 | Josh Russell | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Heat XC 4: Hysteria | November 6, 2009 | 2 | 5:00 | Enoch, Alberta, Canada | |
Win | 16–10–1 | Steve Claveau | Submission (armbar) | XMMA 7: Inferno | February 27, 2009 | 2 | 3:02 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Defended the XMMA Lightweight Championship. |
Win | 15–10–1 | Samuel Guillet | Submission (armbar) | XMMA 6: House of Pain | November 8, 2008 | 1 | 0:52 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Won the XMMA Lightweight Championship. |
Win | 14–10–1 | Zach Light | KO (punches) | EFC 6: Home Coming | October 11, 2008 | 1 | 2:47 | Prince George, British Columbia, Canada | |
Win | 13–10–1 | Douglas Evans | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Raw Combat: Resurrection | June 20, 2008 | 2 | 0:57 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
Draw | 12–10–1 | Steve Claveau | Draw (majority) | XMMA 4 | May 17, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Saguenay, Quebec, Canada | |
Loss | 12–10 | Rory MacDonald | TKO (elbows and punches) | KOTC Canada: Avalanche | December 15, 2007 | 3 | 1:48 | Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | For the KOTC Canadian Lightweight Championship. |
Win | 12–9 | Dave Pariseau | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC 5: Revolution | November 3, 2007 | 1 | 2:04 | Prince George, British Columbia, Canada | |
Win | 11–9 | Jason St. Louis | TKO (submission to punches) | KOTC Canada: Megiddo | April 28, 2007 | 1 | 2:54 | Vernon, British Columbia, Canada | |
Win | 10–9 | Robert Hugus | Submission (armbar) | KOTC Canada: Detonator | September 29, 2006 | 1 | 4:29 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
Win | 9–9 | Todd Steen | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Canada: Anarchy | February 11, 2006 | 1 | 3:58 | Prince George, British Columbia, Canada | |
Win | 8–9 | Gord Cummings | TKO (punches) | Extreme Fighting Challenge 4 | October 15, 2005 | 1 | 4:06 | Prince George, British Columbia, Canada | |
Loss | 7–9 | Jesse Bongfeldt | TKO (corner stoppage) | Rites of Passage 2 | February 12, 2005 | 3 | :10 | Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada | |
Win | 7–8 | Roger Alves | Decision (split) | Extreme Fighting Challenge 3 | October 16, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Prince George, British Columbia, Canada | |
Loss | 6–8 | Stephane Dube | KO (spinning back kick) | TKO 15: Unstoppable | February 28, 2004 | 1 | 4:06 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
Loss | 6–7 | Thierry Quenneville | Decision (split) | TKO 14: Road Warriors | November 29, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada | |
Win | 6–6 | Jaime Renne | Submission (triangle choke) | Western Freestyle Championships | October 12, 2003 | 1 | N/A | Vernon, British Columbia, Canada | |
Loss | 5–6 | Mike Adams | Decision (unanimous) | WFF 5: New Blood | June 28, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada | |
Win | 5–5 | Jeremy Whittingham | Decision (unanimous) | MFC 7: Undisputed | May 31, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada | |
Loss | 4–5 | Chad Hamzeh | TKO (punches) | MFC 6: Road To Gold | February 22, 2003 | N/A | N/A | Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada | |
Win | 4–4 | Chris Ade | Decision (split) | XFC: Combat Showdown | November 23, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
Loss | 3–4 | Justin Livingston | Decision (majority) | World Freestyle Fighting 3 | October 25, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
Loss | 3–3 | Len Smith | Decision (unanimous) | Roadhouse Rumble 6 | October 5, 2002 | 2 | 5:00 | Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada | |
Loss | 3–2 | Josh Thomson | TKO (submission to elbows) | North American Sport Fighting Invitational | September 7, 2002 | 2 | 4:56 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |
Win | 3–1 | Aaron Krafczyk | Submission (punches) | Border Town Brawl | July 27, 2002 | 1 | N/A | Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada | |
Win | 2–1 | Pedro Albuquerque | Submission (fatigue) | Extreme Fighting Challenge 1 | June 2, 2002 | N/A | N/A | Prince George, British Columbia, Canada | |
Loss | 1–1 | Justin Jones | TKO (submission to punches) | Ultimate Ring Challenge 2 | April 27, 2002 | 2 | N/A | Olympia, Washington, United States | |
Win | 1–0 | Eric Harvey | Submission (punches) | Roadhouse Rumble 5 | February 23, 2002 | N/A | N/A | Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada |
Professional record breakdown | ||
2 matches | 1 win | 1 loss |
By knockout | 0 | 1 |
By submission | 1 | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 1–1 | Chad Laprise | KO (punch) | The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia | March 19, 2014 (airdate) | 2 | Quebec City, Quebec, Canada | Semi-finals | |
Win | 1–0 | Brendan O’Reilly | Submission (rear-naked choke) | January 15, 2014 (airdate) | 1 | Quarter-finals |
References
- "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Barnett vs. Nelson". UFC.com. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- Leon Horne (October 5, 2011). "MFC 31's Kajan Johnson: Rory MacDonald Might Do More Than Georges St-Pierre". bleacherreport.com.
- Kajan Johnson (@iamkajan) (July 9, 2018). ""(...) IM A BLACK BELT BABY!!!!!!"". Instagram. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- "TUF Nations cast revealed". UFC.com. 2013-12-05.
- "Kajin Johnson vs. Rory MacDonald". cagerank.com.
- "War Machine Victorious at XMMA 7". mmaontap.com. 2009-03-02.
- "Kajan Johnson Ready to Prove Himself at MFC 27". fightnetwork.com. 2010-10-26.
- "Ryan Healy steps into face Kajan Johnson at MFC 27 Breaking Point". ufcbettingsite.com. 2010-11-06.
- "Cast Unveiled for The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia". mmaweekly.com. 2013-12-05.
- "TUF NATIONS EPISODE 1 RECAP". ufc.com. 2014-01-15.
- "Watch the thunderous knockout blow that ended Kajan Johnson vs. Chad Laprise". bloodyelbow.com. 2014-03-20.
- "'TUF Nations' fighter Tyler Manawaroa won't get UFC contract due to racist Instagram post". mmaweekly.com. 2014-02-11.
- "'Kajan Johnson reflects, instructs, offers apology to Tyler Manawaroa". mixedmartialarts.com. 2014-02-12.
- "Kajan Johnson vs. Tae Hyun Bang booked for UFC 174 in Vancouver". mmajunkie.com. 2014-04-10.
- "UFC 174 bonuses: Tae Hyun Bang gets $100K, Kajan Johnson, Kiichi Kunimoto $50K". mmajunkie.com. 2014-06-15.
- "UFC Fight Night 65: Kajan Johnson returns against Zhang Lipeng". theprovince.com. 2015-02-11.
- "UFC Fight Night 66 results: Kajan Johnson outworks Lipeng Zhang for first UFC win". ubertopic.com. 2015-05-17.
- "Kajan Johnson vs. Naoyuki Kotani set for UFC Fight Night 75". mmajunkie.com. 2015-07-09.
- Ben Fowlkes (2014-09-26). "UFC Fight Night 75 results: Kajan Johnson outstrikes Naoyuki Kotani for decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-09-26.
- Staff (2017-07-20). "Adriano Martins faces Kajan Johnson at UFC 215 in September in Canada" (in Portuguese). sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
- "UFC 215 results: Kajan Johnson's right hand stuns Adriano Martins". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-09. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "Kajan Johnson vs. Rustam Khabilov added to UFC Fight Night 127 in London". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-05. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
- Staff (2018-02-08). "Kajan Johnson says Stevie Ray has stepped in as UFC-London replacement". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
- John Morgan (2018-03-17). "UFC Fight Night 127 results: Kajan Johnson edges Stevie Ray in razor-thin split". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
- "Islam Makhachev vs. Kajan Johnson set for UFC on FOX card in Canada". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
- "UFC on FOX 30 results: 6-1 favorite Islam Makhachev taps Kajan Johnson with armbar". MMAjunkie. 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
- Shakiel Mahjouri (2018-08-08). "Rustam Khabilov vs Kajan Johnson rebooked For UFC Moscow". mmasucka.com. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
- "UFC Fight Night 136 results: Rustam Khabilov tops Kajan Johnson in close split decision". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-15. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
- "Union advocate Kajan Johnson bids farewell to UFC in emotional Instagram post". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
- Matt Erickson (January 2, 2019). "MMAjunkie's 2018 'Robbery of the Year': Rustam Khabilov over Kajan Johnson at UFC Moscow". mmajunkie.com.
- Sherdog.com. "Kajan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-07-30.