When Charles Johnson and Carlos Mota stepped into the LFA cage, they put on a fight for the ages.
The LFA 122 main event Friday toed the line between a high-level, technical striking match and an all-out-wild brawl. Johnson (11-2) finished Mota (6-1) with punches at 0:45 of Round 5 to retain the LFA flyweight championship.
Both fighters had their moments in the bout, with the first four rounds closely contested. Mota, 26, showed some signs of brilliance and bloodied the champion midway through the bout. However, Johnson, 31, proved to be too much with his relentless pressure and crisp boxing.
As the fight progressed, the tempo increased. In the opening minute of the final round, Johnson stunned Mota in a frenetic exchange. When he saw his opponent hurt, he went for the kill and did not let Mota off the hook. Johnson dipped in and out and chased Mota down to secure the TKO finish with punches – much to the delight of his home-state crowd.
After the fight, Johnson, who has won four straight fights against opponents with a combined record of 27-7 at the time of competition, called for the UFC to sign him. In 11 wins, Johnson has eight finishes.
“Everybody knows what I want next, baby,” Johnson said. “I mean, look, this is what I need. I hear y’all. I hear y’all, but this is what I need. I need everybody in here who watched this fight, who believes in me to hashtag Dana White. Charles Johnson. LFA. Sign that mother*cker right now.”
One of the greatest championship fights ever on UFC FIGHT PASS! #LFA122
(C) Charles Johnson via KO in Round 5
[ @LFAFighting | 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 | 📲 on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/SqdE9PVYrj
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) January 22, 2022
What's next for Charles Johnson? #AndStill #LFA122
[ @LFAFighting | 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 | 📲 on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/I55V9JELma
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) January 22, 2022
In a lightweight co-main event, former LFA title challenger Arthur Estrazulas punched (and kicked) his way back into the winning column when he made quick work of highly-touted Glory MMA & Fitness prospect Brant Moore.
A key member of Kings MMA, Estrazulas (13-6) finished the fight at 2:48 of Round 1 after a kick and punch to the body crumpled Moore (9-2) to the canvas.
Arthur Estrazulas with the body shots! #LFA122
[ @LFAFighting | 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/ccPO6ESSHa
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) January 22, 2022
LFA 122 finished with nine finishes in 11 fights. The event took place Friday at The Factory at the District in St. Louis. The main card streamed on UFC Fight Pass.
The full LFA 122 results include:
- Charles Johnson def. Carlos Mota via TKO (punches) – Round 4, 0:45
- Arthur Estrazulas def. Brant Moore via TKO (body shots) – Round 1, 2:48
- Glaucio Eliziario def. William Starks via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Sarek Shields def. Jeremiah Curtwright via TKO (retirement) – Round 2, 5:00
- Dan Moriarty def. Jett Shell via submission (heel hook) – Round 2, 0:48
- Brittney Cloudy def. Annette Nichols via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 1, 3:14
- Elmar Ulmarov def. Turner Williams via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:57
- Will Monroe def. Avery Wilson def. TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 1, 2:38
- Zac Moore def. Jared Medley via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
