Brian Johnston (born July 28, 1969) is an American former mixed martial artist and professional wrestler who competed throughout the mid-1990s, most notably in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Johnston retired after suffering a massive stroke in 2001.
Career Ultimate Fighting Championship Johnston holds a black belt in judo and was a former Golden Gloves amateur boxing champion with an undefeated amateur kickboxing record of 12-0, as well as an experienced amateur wrestler. His effective mix of precision striking and ground fighting, as seen with other fighters such as Erik Paulson, Matt Hume, and Marco Ruas, would set the standard for what are now common traits in modern-day fighting styles. Johnston fought many notable fighters in their prime, such as Don Frye, Mark Coleman and Ken Shamrock, while competing in the UFC.
Professional wrestling Initially trained by Brad Rheingans, Johnston made his professional wrestling debut in 1997, losing to Naoya Ogawa at NJPW G1 Climax Special 1997. Throughout his whole career Johnston was used as a tag team wrestler, teaming with such names like Don Frye, Osamu Kido, Tadao Yasuda, Dave Beneteau, and Kazuyuki Fujita. He had a notable appearance at the 1999 G1 Tag League, teaming with Takashi Iizuka.
Retirement In August 2001, Johnston suffered a massive stroke while in Japan prior to a fight, at 32 years of age and 3 weeks after his wedding. He was subsequently forced to retire. Johnston would train several team mates to impressive MMA victories, over notables such as Mark Kerr, K-1 fighter Jan Nortje and MMA fighters Ryan Gracie and Ken Shamrock.
Career accomplishments
Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Encyclopedia Awards Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Reza Nasri
Mixed martial arts record
| Loss |align=center| 5–5 | Dan Bobish | Submission(forearm choke) | UFC 14 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:10 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| Win |align=center| 5–4 | John Renfroe | Submission (choke) | Strikeforce - Strike Force | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:10 | San Jose, California, United States
| Loss |align=center| 4–4 | Kimo Leopoldo | Submission (forearm choke) | Ultimate Explosion | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:43 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
| Win |align=center| 4–3 | Dennis Reed | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Extreme Challenge 3 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:48 | Davenport, Iowa, United States
| Win |align=center| 3–3 | Egidio Amaro da Costa | TKO (submission to punches and headbutts) | Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 5 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:34 | Brazil
| Loss |align=center| 2–3 | Ken Shamrock | Submission (forearm choke) | Ultimate Ultimate 1996 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 5:48 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| Loss |align=center| 2–2 | Mark Coleman | TKO (submission to punches) | UFC 11 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:20 | Augusta, Georgia, United States
| Win |align=center| 2–1 | Reza Nasri | TKO (punches) | UFC 11 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:28 | Augusta, Georgia, United States
| Loss |align=center| 1–1 | Don Frye | TKO (submission to elbow) | UFC 10 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 4:37 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| Win |align=center| 1–0 | Scott Fiedler | TKO (submission to punches) | UFC 10 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:25 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States |
References
External links