UFC Baku: Asu Almabayev submits Charles Johnson with horrifying Suloev stretch

Asu Almabayev joined an exclusive club at UFC Baku, securing a stunning submission victory over Charles Johnson with a Suloev stretch—only the fourth such finish in UFC history. Almabayev dominated the first two rounds before extending his dominance into Round 3, where he caught Johnson in the devastating submission hold, earning the tap at 3:33 of the final stanza. The 32-year-old improved to 7–1 in the UFC, claiming his third consecutive victory and delivering his finest promotional performance to date. His lone UFC loss came against Manel Kape at UFC Vegas 105 in March 2025; he previously submitted Alex Perez at UFC Qatar in November. For Johnson, the defeat continues a frustrating pattern across his last six fights, alternating wins and losses. Johnson remains notable as the last fighter to defeat current flyweight champion Joshua Van. Almabayev's dominant display and rare finishing technique signal his emergence as a serious contender in the flyweight division.