Brett Johns

Thomas Brett Johns (born 21 February 1992) is a Welsh professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the featherweight division of PFL. Prior to signing with PFL, Johns competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA at bantamweight. A professional competitor since 2012, he has also formerly competed for Cage Warriors and Titan FC, and was Bantamweight Champion for both promotions.

Background
Johns was born and raised by a single mother in Pontarddulais. He has an older sister and two younger brothers. Brett started training judo in a club run by his to-be-stepfather at the age of four. While avidly training judo, he started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu on his stepfather's advice to improve his ground game at the age of 16. While training jiu-jitsu under Chris Rees, Johns eventually grew an interest towards mixed arts.

Early career
Johns made his mixed martial arts debut as an amateur in 2011 where he compiled an undefeated record of 4–0. He turned professional in 2012 and competed on the regional circuit with stints in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship and Titan Fighting Championships where he was the Bantamweight Champion for each promotion.

Johns signed with the UFC in 2016.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Johns made his promotional debut on 19 November 2016 against Kwan Ho Kwak at UFC Fight Night 99. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Johns was expected to face Ian Entwistle on 18 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 107. Entwistle missed weight at the weigh-ins – coming in at 139lbs, 3lbs over the bantamweight limit of 136lbs. He forfeited 20% of his fight purse to his opponent. The following day, Entwistle's medical clearance was revoked following a trip the hospital and the bout was cancelled.

Johns was expected to face Mitch Gagnon on 16 July 2017 at UFC Fight Night 113. However, Gagnon was removed from the card on 27 June and replaced by Albert Morales. Johns won the bout by unanimous decision.

Johns faced Joe Soto on 1 December 2017 at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale. Johns won the bout by submission due to a calf slicer (the 2nd Calf Slicer in UFC history). This win earned him Performance of the Night bonus.

Johns faced Aljamain Sterling on 21 April 2018 at UFC Fight Night 128. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Johns faced Pedro Munhoz on 4 August 2018 at UFC 227. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Johns faced Tony Gravely on 25 January 2020 at UFC Fight Night 166. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round three. This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Johns faced Montel Jackson on 19 July 2020 at UFC Fight Night 172. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Bellator MMA
On 2 October 2020, Johns revealed he had signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA after testing free agency when his UFC contract expired. Johns was expected to make his Bellator debut on 21 May 2021 at Bellator 259 against Matheus Mattos. However, Mattos pulled out from the bout after contracting COVID-19 and was replaced by former Titan FC bantamweight champion Danny Sabatello. Johns lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Johns was scheduled to face Érik Pérez on 16 October 2021 at Bellator 268. However on 5 October it was announced that Perez was injured and the bout was scrapped.

Johns faced Khurshed Kakhorov on 25 February 2022 at Bellator 275. He won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the third round.

Johns was scheduled to face James Gallagher on 23 September 2022 at Bellator 285. However in August, it was announced that Gallagher pulled out of the bout due to unknown reasons. Jordan Winski was picked as a replacement for Gallagher. Johns won the bout via unanimous decision.

Johns was scheduled to face Marcirley Alves on 12 May 2023 at Bellator 296. However, the week of the event, Johns pulled out due to staph infection.

Professional Fighters League
After completing his contract, Johns signed with the PFL and made his debut against David Tonatiuh Crol on 8 December 2023 at PFL Europe 4. He won the fight by TKO in the third round.

Johns faced Timur Khizriev on April 19, 2024 at PFL 3 (2024). He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Johns next faced Tyler Diamond at PFL 6 (2024) on June 28, 2024. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the Night (one time) vs. Joe Soto
 * Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Tony Gravely
 * Titan FC
 * Titan FC Bantamweight Championship (one time; former)
 * Cage Warriors
 * CWFC Bantamweight Championship (one time; former)
 * Pain Pit Fight Night
 * PPFN Bantamweight (145 lbs) Championship
 * Sherdog
 * UFC/MMA 'Submission of the Year' 2017 – Top 5 List No. 4 vs. Joe Soto
 * MMADNA.nl
 * 2017 Submission of the Year (Calf Slicer vs. Joe Soto at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale).