Tim Johnson Bio
Timothy Johnson, known professionally as Tim Johnson, is an American mixed martial artist who has competed at the top levels of the sport, including the UFC, Bellator MMA, and the Professional Fighters League. Born on March 13, 1985, in Lamberton, Minnesota, he has built his career in the Heavyweight division and has been a professional competitor since 2010. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall with a 78-inch reach, Johnson combines a college wrestling pedigree with knockout power inside the cage. He currently trains out of Las Vegas, Nevada, with Academy of Combat Arts Xtreme Couture.
Over more than a decade in the sport, Johnson has accumulated an extensive resume, with 18 professional wins and 12 losses on record. His career has spanned multiple major promotions across the United States and abroad. He is recognized as a durable Heavyweight contender who has faced former champions and top-ranked opponents.
Early Life and Background
Timothy Johnson was born on March 13, 1985, in Lamberton, Minnesota, a small community in the southwestern part of the state. Growing up in the Midwest, he developed an early interest in combat sports and physical competition. He went on to attend Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he competed in NCAA Division II wrestling. His collegiate career was distinguished, as he earned two-time All-American honors as a wrestler for the Dragons.
During his time at Minnesota State University Moorhead, Johnson balanced his academic responsibilities with a demanding wrestling schedule, building the foundational grappling skills that would later define his mixed martial arts career. His success at the Division II level gave him confidence against high-level competition and helped him transition smoothly into professional fighting. Those college years also connected him with coaches and training partners who supported his eventual move into mixed martial arts.
After completing his collegiate wrestling career, Johnson focused on expanding his striking and submission skills to become a well-rounded mixed martial artist. He has since made Las Vegas, Nevada, his home base, although he has also trained out of Fargo, North Dakota, earlier in his professional journey. His wrestling base, paired with a willingness to engage in striking exchanges, has shaped his identity as a fighter.
Path to MMA
Johnson’s transition into mixed martial arts began in earnest after his college wrestling days. He made his professional debut in October 2010, stepping into regional promotions with a strong grappling base. He quickly developed a reputation as a finisher, compiling a 7-1 record on the regional scene with all of those victories coming inside the distance.
His breakout moment on the regional circuit came when he finished veteran Travis Wiuff in the first round in October 2014. That win served as the catalyst for his signing with the UFC. The opportunity to compete on the sport’s biggest stage validated the years of training and regional experience he had accumulated since leaving college.
By the time he reached the UFC roster, Johnson had already established himself as a dangerous Heavyweight prospect. His blend of NCAA Division II wrestling credentials, finishing instincts, and durability made him an attractive signing for major promotions. That combination of skills has continued to define his career path through multiple organizations.
Tim Johnson Career
Early Career (2010-2014)
Timothy Johnson launched his professional mixed martial arts career in October 2010, competing primarily in regional promotions around North Dakota. Working out of Fargo, he built a foundation of finishes and developed his skill set against a variety of Heavyweight opponents. His wrestling pedigree gave him an early edge in the regional scene.
Over his first four years, Johnson compiled a 7-1 record, finishing every one of his victories. That finishing rate, combined with his wrestling credentials, drew the attention of major promotions. The October 2014 first-round finish of Travis Wiuff marked the culmination of his regional run and set the stage for his move to the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2015-2018)
Johnson made his UFC debut on April 4, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 63, where he faced Shamil Abdurakhimov. He won the fight by technical knockout in the final seconds of the opening round, announcing his arrival on the sport’s biggest stage in emphatic fashion. He followed that performance with a decision loss to Jared Rosholt at UFC Fight Night 73 in August 2015, though he came close to finishing the fight in the final minute.
In April 2016, Johnson earned a unanimous decision victory over Marcin Tybura at UFC Fight Night 86. He then faced Alexander Volkov at UFC Fight Night 99 in November 2016, in a bout that was widely viewed as controversial. Despite all 12 media scores going in Johnson’s favor, he was on the wrong end of a split decision. He bounced back in March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 107, winning a split decision over Daniel Omielańczuk in a closely contested fight.
After a first-round TKO loss to promotional newcomer Júnior Albini at UFC on Fox 25 in July 2017, Johnson closed out his UFC tenure with a unanimous decision win over Marcelo Golm at UFC Fight Night 125 in February 2018. That victory marked the end of his existing UFC contract, and the promotion opted not to renew it, opening the door for the next chapter of his career.
Bellator MMA (2018-2023)
On April 13, 2018, it was announced that Johnson had signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. He debuted against Cheick Kongo at Bellator 208 on October 13, 2018, losing by first-round knockout. Less than a year later, he stepped in on short notice to face former Bellator Heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov in the co-main event of Bellator 225, but again fell by first-round knockout.
Johnson’s Bellator career turned a corner in 2020. At Bellator 239 in February 2020, he stopped Tyrell Fortune by first-round knockout. He followed that with a first-round technical knockout of Matt Mitrione at Bellator 243 in August 2020. Later that year, at Bellator 248 in Paris, he avenged his earlier loss to Cheick Kongo with a split-decision victory.
Johnson’s biggest Bellator opportunity came on June 25, 2021, at Bellator 261, when he faced Valentin Moldavsky for the Bellator Interim Heavyweight World Championship. He lost that bout by unanimous decision. Subsequent fights included a first-round knockout loss to Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 269 in October 2021 and a first-round TKO loss to Linton Vassell at Bellator 277 in April 2022. He closed his Bellator run with a unanimous decision win over Said Sowma at Bellator 294 in April 2023.
Professional Fighters League Era (2024-2025)
After Bellator, Johnson headlined XFC 50 on April 12, 2024, stopping Darion Abbey by first-round technical knockout. He then made his Professional Fighters League debut on June 13, 2024, at PFL 4, where he finished Danilo Marques by first-round TKO. Those performances positioned him as a viable contender in the PFL Heavyweight division.
Johnson was matched with Denis Goltsov in the semifinals of the 2024 PFL Heavyweight tournament at PFL 7 on August 2, 2024, and lost by first-round TKO. He returned on January 25, 2025, as a short-notice replacement against Vadim Nemkov at PFL Champions Series 1, falling by rear-naked choke submission in the first round. In March 2025, the PFL officially confirmed that Johnson would be part of the 2025 PFL Heavyweight Tournament.
At PFL 4 on May 1, 2025, Johnson faced Alexandr Romanov in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Heavyweight tournament and lost by guillotine choke in the first round. Most recently, on July 18, 2025, he competed in the Last Man Standing heavyweight tournament at Karate Combat 55, where he defeated Chase Sherman by first-round knockout before being eliminated by Robelis Despaigne via first-round TKO.
Style and Strengths
Johnson’s game is built on the foundation of his NCAA Division II wrestling background, giving him strong takedown ability and top control against most Heavyweight opponents. He pairs that grappling base with legitimate knockout power in his hands, as evidenced by his career finishes. His conditioning and willingness to engage in striking exchanges make him a dangerous opponent for any Heavyweight, while his wrestling pedigree allows him to dictate where the fight takes place when needed.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Johnson’s career are his UFC debut knockout of Shamil Abdurakhimov, his controversial split-decision loss to Alexander Volkov in which all 12 media scores went his way, and his Bellator Interim Heavyweight World Championship opportunity against Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 261. He also holds a notable victory over former UFC veteran Matt Mitrione and an earlier regional finish of Travis Wiuff that helped launch his UFC signing.
Tim Johnson Career Wins
Timothy Johnson has compiled 18 professional wins across more than a decade in the sport, with 6 by knockout, 3 by submission, and 3 by decision listed in his verified record. His finishing instincts were particularly evident during his early regional career, when he stopped all of his opponents on the way to a 7-1 record. Across the UFC, Bellator, and PFL, he has consistently delivered memorable performances, including knockouts of Matt Mitrione and Tyrell Fortune and decision wins over respected Heavyweights such as Marcin Tybura and Daniel Omielańczuk.
UFC Highlights
Johnson’s UFC tenure included several significant wins, beginning with his first-round TKO of Shamil Abdurakhimov in his debut and continuing with a unanimous decision over Marcin Tybura at UFC Fight Night 86. He also earned a hard-fought split-decision victory over Daniel Omielańczuk at UFC Fight Night 107 and closed his UFC run with a unanimous decision win over Marcelo Golm at UFC Fight Night 125.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Johnson has earned notable victories for Bellator, the PFL, and on the regional circuit. He stopped Tyrell Fortune by first-round knockout at Bellator 239 and Matt Mitrione by first-round TKO at Bellator 243, then avenged a prior loss to Cheick Kongo with a split-decision win at Bellator 248. In the PFL, he finished Danilo Marques by first-round TKO at PFL 4 in 2024 and, at Karate Combat 55 in 2025, he stopped Chase Sherman by first-round knockout.
Tim Johnson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Timothy Johnson’s immediate family is limited, and detailed records about his parents and siblings have not been widely documented. What is known is that he grew up in Lamberton, Minnesota, and built his early athletic career in the Midwest before relocating to pursue professional fighting. His college wrestling background at Minnesota State University Moorhead reflects the strong athletic culture of his home region.
Personal Life
Timothy Johnson has made Las Vegas, Nevada, his primary residence in connection with his training at Academy of Combat Arts Xtreme Couture. Earlier in his professional career, he trained out of Fargo, North Dakota, which he considered an adopted home. Beyond these training locations, public details about his personal relationships, spouse, and children are not widely documented in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Timothy Johnson’s 2025 campaign has been defined by his participation in the PFL Heavyweight Tournament and a high-profile appearance in Karate Combat. He entered the 2025 PFL Heavyweight Tournament quarterfinals at PFL 4 on May 1, 2025, where he faced Alexandr Romanov and was eliminated by guillotine choke submission in the opening round. Despite the early exit, his presence in the bracket reflected the PFL’s continued confidence in his finishing ability and drawing power.
Outside the PFL tournament, Johnson stepped in on short notice to face Vadim Nemkov at PFL Champions Series 1 on January 25, 2025, and lost by rear-naked choke submission in the first round. He then transitioned to the Karate Combat platform, where he competed in the eight-man Last Man Standing heavyweight tournament at Karate Combat 55 on July 18, 2025, defeating Chase Sherman by first-round knockout before being eliminated by Robelis Despaigne via first-round TKO.
Looking ahead, Johnson’s 2025 schedule suggests he remains an active and marketable Heavyweight, capable of stepping in for short-notice fights and competing across multiple promotions. His willingness to face top opposition, including former champions and tournament contenders, positions him as a recognizable name in the Heavyweight landscape as the year progresses.