Almabayev Submits Johnson With Rare Suloev Stretch at UFC Baku

Overview

• Asu Almabayev, who submitted Charles Johnson by Suloev stretch on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 280 in Baku, forced the tap at 3:33 of the third round.
• The finish is exceptionally uncommon in MMA and was reported as just the fourth Suloev stretch in UFC history, making the technique a standout moment of the card.
• The victory moved Almabayev to 7-1 in the UFC and marked his third straight win, consolidating momentum after a lone promotional loss to Manel Kape in March 2025.
• Charles Johnson’s loss continues a pattern of alternating results over recent outings, and it ends his brief run of form that included a prior win over current flyweight champion Joshua Van.
• Oddsmakers had favored Almabayev before the fight while some analysts picked Johnson to upset, and the finish now raises the prospect of Almabayev facing higher-ranked opponents next.