Charles Johnson wants to be among the world’s best.
Now on a three-fight winning streak, Johnson (16-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) is hoping he’s done enough to earn a spot in the UFC’s official flyweight rankings, which would open up the doors for bigger fights.
“Hopefully, I should be ranked,” Johnson told reporters (FanSided MMA) following his win at UFC on ESPN 59. “That’s three wins in a row. (No.) 14- and 15-(ranked) haven’t done nothing in this promotion for three fights in three years.
“… Let’s get some guys that been working and fighting everyone like myself, like (Allan) Nascimento vs. (Jafel Filho) – they’re fighting. I think one of them will earn a spot, too. I think guys are earning their way up.”
Johnson knocked out highly touted prospect Joshua Van at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 59 in Denver. It was a fight many expected him to lose, given the promise Van had show in previous outings.
Johnson knew he had it in him to get past Van, as he’s the present of the division – which is why he took the fight.
“I knew that Van had a couple of fights fall out on him, and he had been training,” Johnson said. “I knew that he was prepared to fight anyone, and I’m always ready, and I wanted to fight. If I wasn’t going to get a ranked opponent next, which it was what I was told, then why not fight the kid on a three-fight winning streak with a finish who’s being projected to be in the rankings soon? Why not fight him? It’s a fan-friendly fight. Everybody is going to love the fight, and I could show people that Charles Johnson is different.
“Van has a healthy future in this promotion, but he’s not there yet. Charles is. It’s time.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.
