Tony Johnson

Career

A professional competitor since 2008, Johnson has also formerly competed for ONE Championship and King of the Cage. King of the Cage

After going undefeated in his first three professional mixed martial arts fights, Johnson signed with King of the Cage and challenged Tony Lopez for his KOTC heavyweight championship on March 26, 2010 at KOTC: Legacy. He lost the fight and KOTC heavyweight championship in the first round via rear-naked choke submission, resulting in his first professional loss.

Johnson rebounded from his loss to Cormier by defeating Boban Simic via unanimous decision on November 13, 2010 at KOTC: Infusion.

Bellator

In April 2011, it was announced that Johnson had signed with Bellator, with his promotional debut expected to take place at Bellator 41 on April 16 against Carlos Flores. Johnson, however, was later replaced by Rudy Aguilar due to unknown reasons.

Johnson eventually made his promotional debut against current UFC competitor Derrick Lewis at Bellator 46 on June 25, 2011. ONE Championship

The fight was contested at a catchweight of 271 lbs. after Sylvia missed weight.

Johnson next faced Chris Lokteff at ONE Fighting Championship: Warrior Spirit on November 15, 2013.

He lost the fight via split decision. Independent promotions

Return to Bellator

Mixed martial arts

King of the Cage

KOTC heavyweight championship (one time).

Achievements

• He is the former KOTC heavyweight champion. Also being the KOTC light heavyweight champion, Lopez was undefeated his last sixteen fights, which marked Johnson"s most experienced opponent at the time. Johnson recorded the upset, using his wrestling to defeat the much more experienced Lopez via unanimous decision and becoming the KOTC heavyweight champion in just only his fourth professional fight. Johnson made his first title defense against then prospect and future UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier at KOTC: Imminent Danger on August 13, 2010. He won the fight via unanimous decision. After being sidelined for nearly two years due to issues with his Bellator contract, Johnson signed with Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship and faced former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia at ONE Fighting Championship: Rise to Power on May 31, 2013. Johnson won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage in the third round after an elbow by Johnson opened up a cut on Sylvia"s forehead. Over a year later, on November 22, 2014, Johnson faced Robert Neal at V3 Fights: Neal versus Johnson and won via TKO due to elbows in the very first round. Johnson re-signed with Bellator and faced former Bellator heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov at Bellator 136 on April 10, 2015. He won the fight via split decision.