With three straight wins, Charles Johnson wants spot in flyweight rankings after Joshua Van KO at UFC Denver

Charles Johnson wants to be among the world’s best.

Now on a three-fight winning streak, Johnson (16-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) is hoping he’s done enough to earn a spot in the UFC’s official flyweight rankings, which would open up the doors for bigger fights.

“Hopefully, I should be ranked,” Johnson told reporters (FanSided MMA) following his win at UFC on ESPN 59. “That’s three wins in a row. (No.) 14- and 15-(ranked) haven’t done nothing in this promotion for three fights in three years.

“
 Let’s get some guys that been working and fighting everyone like myself, like (Allan) Nascimento vs. (Jafel Filho) – they’re fighting. I think one of them will earn a spot, too. I think guys are earning their way up.”

Johnson knocked out highly touted prospect Joshua Van at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 59 in Denver. It was a fight many expected him to lose, given the promise Van had show in previous outings.

Highlights! Charles Johnson delivers huge comeback, stuns Joshua Van with vicious TKO | UFC Denver - MMAmania.com

Charles Johnson delivers huge comeback, stuns Joshua Van with vicious TKO

Johnson knew he had it in him to get past Van, as he’s the present of the division – which is why he took the fight.

“I knew that Van had a couple of fights fall out on him, and he had been training,” Johnson said. “I knew that he was prepared to fight anyone, and I’m always ready, and I wanted to fight. If I wasn’t going to get a ranked opponent next, which it was what I was told, then why not fight the kid on a three-fight winning streak with a finish who’s being projected to be in the rankings soon? Why not fight him? It’s a fan-friendly fight. Everybody is going to love the fight, and I could show people that Charles Johnson is different.

“Van has a healthy future in this promotion, but he’s not there yet. Charles is. It’s time.”

Charles Johnson: 'This Is What I Deserved' | UFC

Charles Johnson