Johnson was born in Richmond, Virginia, on November 18, 1988. He first started wrestling in 6th grade at Washington Jr High School in Naperville, Illinois. From there, he went on to wrestle for Naperville North High School where he became the Illinois High School State Wrestling Champion. He moved to Iowa his senior year, placing 3rd in the Iowa state tournament. Upon graduation from high school, Johnson signed on to wrestle Division I at the prestigious University of Iowa. He was a two time University Nationals All-American.
Wrestling career
Johnson won the 2006 Class AA Illinois state heavyweight state title Naperville North High School, placing third as a sophomore, placed fifth at senior nationals senior year and third at junior nationals junior year. Coached by Danny Knight at Bettendorf and Tom Champion at Naperville North. Son of Jerry Johnson and Angela Santisteven, attended same high school as Hawkeye teammates Tyler Clark and Nick Trizzino. His major was interdepartmental studies major. He moved to Bettendorf, IA, and will be competing for Bettendorf High School this season. University of Iowa Hawkeyes, Career Record 25-11 2010-2011 Season-Posted a 2–3 record at heavyweight, wrestled at Kaufman-Brand Open and Midlands Championships. 2009-2010-Posted a 14–3 record at heavyweight, went 7–2 in dual competition and scored 30 team points while competing for injured starter Dan Erekson, went 5–0 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, won title at Wisconsin Open and placed second at Grand View Open, letterwinner placed sixth at 120 kg/264.5 pounds at ASICS men's freestyle University National Championships. 2008-09 Posted a 9–5 record at heavyweight went 1–3 in dual competitions and 1–2 in Big Ten duals, won title at Duhawk Open and placed second at Grand View Open, also competed at Northern Iowa Open, letterwinner placed third at 120 kg at ASICS men's freestyle University National Championships. 2007-2008 redshirted Posted a 7–4 season record at 197 pounds while competing unattached, placed fourth at Kaufman-Brand Open and fifth at Jim Fox Open, scored two pins, one technical fall and one major decision.
Johnson made his amateur MMA debut in 2013, compiling an impressive 3–0 record as a Heavyweight. He then turned professional in 2014, amassing an undefeated professional record of 6–0, while becoming the final RFA champion in the process. In January 2017, Johnson was signed by the UFC.
Johnson made his promotional debut against Henrique da Silva on January 28, 2017, at UFC on Fox 23. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Johnson faced Marcel Fortuna on July 7, 2017 at. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Johnson faced Adam Milstead on March 3, 2018 at UFC 222. He won the fight by split decision. Johnson faced promotional newcomer Adam Yandiev, replacing injured Krzysztof Jotko, on September 15, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 136. He won the fight by submission in the second round. As Johnson didn't agree with the financial terms of UFC's contract extension offer after the fight with Adam Milstead, he became a free agent after the fight with Yandiev.
Professional Fighters League
On March 21, 2019, Johnson was revealed to be competing in the light heavyweight bracket of Professional Fighters League's second season. He made his debut against Maxim Grishin at PFL 3 on June 6, 2019. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
