Updated June 27, 2026 1:49 pm ET.
Asu Almabaev once again showed why he is a flyweight contender to watch at UFC Fight Night 280 when he pinned Charles Johnson with a rare submission.
After 13 strong fights, Almabaev (24-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) sealed the deal by grabbing Johnson’s (19-9 MMA, 8-6 UFC) leg, pulling it behind his head in an awkward motion to force Suloev Stretch to tap out in a flyweight bout at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan.
It was the first finish of its kind in 125-pound history and only the fourth overall in UFC history, and Almabaev’s performance sent the local crowd into a frenzy (via X):
After a great performance, Almabaev challenged flyweight champion Joshua Wang to a fight. He was reminded that Wang would likely defend next against Alexander Pantoja and said he would continue to work until he faced a chance to win gold.
Almabaev joined Kenny Robertson, Aljamain Sterling and Zabit Magomedsharipov as other fighters in UFC history to complete the Suloev Stretch fight. To make it even more impressive, Johnson lost by submission for the first time.
Latest UFC Fight Night 280 results:
- Asu Almabaev def. Charles Johnson by submission (Suloev stretch) โ Round 3, 3:33
- Ikram Aliskerov def. Brunno Ferreira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Abus Magomedov def. Michal Oleksiejczuk by submission (guillotine choke) โ Round 1, 3:25
- Farman Gasanov def. Eric Nolan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Julius Walker by KO (punches) โ Round 1, 0:08
- Nursulton Ruziboev def. Andrey Pulyaev by technical hold (rear choke) โ round 1, 3:58
- Kaan Ofley def. Javier Reyes by submission (arm triangle choke) โ Round 1, 4:16
- Daniil Donchenko def. Theodor Berggren by TKO (head kick, punches) โ Round 2, 1:35
- Jean Matsumoto def. Bekzat Almakhan by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Takhir Abdullaev def. Jefferson Nascimento via TKO (punches) โ Round 3, 4:32