Asu Almabayev Hits Suloev Stretch Submission on Charles Johnson in Historic UFC Baku Performance

In a rare display of technical mastery at UFC Baku, Kazakhstan's Asu Almabayev cemented his status as a flyweight force by securing a clinical Suloev stretch victory over Charles Johnson.

The atmosphere at the Baku Crystal Hall on June 27 was electric, but it was the technical precision of Asu Almabayev that silenced the arena. Entering the fight as the No. 9 ranked contender, Almabayev dismantled Charles Johnson through a suffocating mix of wrestling and tactical pressure. While Johnson, known for his resilience and unorthodox style, looked to exploit his length, he found himself repeatedly neutralized by the Kazakh fighter’s relentless top control.

The fight reached its crescendo in the third round. After a brief scare where Johnson threatened with a triangle choke, Almabayev calmly navigated the danger. He transitioned to the back, isolated Johnson’s leg, and locked in the Suloev stretch—a rare, high-leverage submission that hyperextends the hamstring and knee. Johnson was left with no choice but to tap out at the 3:33 mark, handing Almabayev a finish that will be replayed in highlight reels for years to come.

A Rare Entry in UFC History

This performance places Almabayev in an incredibly exclusive club. The Suloev stretch, named after the late Armenian fighter Amar Suloev, is one of the most uncommon techniques in the promotion. Before this fight, only three other fighters—Kenny Robertson, Aljamain Sterling, and the legendary Zabit Magomedsharipov—had successfully pulled off the move in UFC history. By ending an eight-year drought for the submission, Almabayev has signaled that he is not just a competitor, but a student of the sport’s most intricate disciplines.

For Johnson, the night was a frustrating end to a competitive run. Despite showing flashes of success on the feet and displaying improved takedown defense early on, the American struggled to keep the fight in his preferred rhythm. Almabayev’s ability to turn a defensive scramble into a fight-ending submission highlights the widening gap between elite grapplers and those who rely solely on striking volume in the modern flyweight division.

Why It Matters: The Rise of a Contender

This victory at UFC Baku is a massive pivot point for the 32-year-old Almabayev. With a record now standing at 7-1 within the promotion, he has moved beyond the "prospect" label to become a genuine threat to the division's hierarchy. In a weight class often dominated by pace and cardio, Almabayev’s ability to introduce such a high-level submission threat makes him a nightmare matchup for the top five.

The bigger picture suggests that the flyweight landscape is shifting. As Almabayev climbs the rankings, his unique blend of sambo-inspired grappling and composure under pressure offers a fresh tactical challenge to the current title picture. Following his withdrawal from the Mexico headliner earlier this year, this dominant showing in Azerbaijan serves as a loud statement of intent: the Kazakh standout is ready for the division’s biggest names.