Miles Johns is booked to fight against an exciting Brazilian prospect Felipe Lima on December 14, at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley. The matchup is fascinating and is supposed to show which one of the pair of up-and-comers will go on to be a real threat in the division. Earlier this year, Johns was scheduled to face the biggest name of his career to this point, former champion Cody Garbrandt. In fact, the scrap was supposed to happen twice this year, yet was cancelled both times.
Standing at a record of 15-2, “Chapo” is a former LFA 135-pound champion. He won the vacant strap at LFA 55, against Adrian Yanez, known for his exciting UFC run, being labeled the future of the bantamweight division by the public at one point. Adrian is also fighting this weekend, facing undefeated Daniel Marcos. It’s a great opportunity to review their 2018 title clash.
Johns vs. Yanez
Both fighters started off a little hesitant, looking for the right distance. Yanez, being a skilled boxer, moved a lot towards his opponent’s left, away from the power side of Johns.
After fairly inactive two minutes of fencing with jabs, athletes began to let their hands go much more. Next thing you know, Miles is shooting for the takedown, but doesn’t come close to getting it. Yanez continued looking for long shots at distance, using his reach advantage, occasionally adding some sidekicks to the knee of Johns. At one point, Adrian landed a lovely right while Johns was closing the distance. Yanez ended the round with a high kick.
The athletes begin the second round petty hesitant, as Yanez is mostly throwing feints, and Johns is not able to land clean on the more lanky opponent. A failed single leg attempt by Johns sees them clinching against the cage for awhile, after which Yanez disengages. The very first combo Adrian throws after the clinch leads to a beautifully timed double leg by Johns, as he ducks under the left hook and secures the top position. Yanez uses butterfly guard to get up quickly.
Still hesitant on the feet, Yanez has the lead in boxing aspect. Before the end of the second round, Adrian defends another single leg by Miles.
A little more active at the beginning of the third, Yanez lands a few good shots on Miles, before being taken down against the cage. Yanez gets up almost immediately, which seems to be the tendency of the fight by now. Really close five minutes of action, with the most effective action being an elbow on the clinch break and a slam from Johns.
Also, just how many takedowns this guy can go for! Some Dvalishvili numbers for Miles Johns in that fight.
Crispy-looking right-hand counter at the start of the fourth for Adrian. Overhand right lands for Johns. And what you’d expect, another takedown entry by Johns, this time ducking under a high kick. Some stalling against the fence, and Yanez breaks free. Baiting Johns with the jab, Adrian counters anything Miles throws with his right.
Another shot by Miles (how many times have I said it by now?) leads to them clinching until the end of the fourth segment. Yanez was more active in the clinch position with elbows and punches, but Miles threw some of what I’d call ‘fuck it shots’ at the break in the last ten seconds.
At the start of the final round, they finally agree to throw some heat, with Yanez proving to be the more technical boxer out of the two. A choke attempt by Adrian after another failed takedown by Johns sees the crowd on their feet. Escaping the submission, Miles gets on the back foot.
A nasty body shot by Yanez convinces Miles of one thing – he needs to get that takedown. You know the story by now, don’t you? Johns doesn’t get the single leg and instead tries to push Yanez through the cage.
Eventually, the ref gets enough of it and breaks the clinch. Adrian sees it as his opportunity to shine and starts to walk Johns down, slipping the jabs that come his way, but getting caught with some left hooks. Yanez stops another few takedown attempts by Miles, gets some ground-and-pund going. For the last minute of the fifth round, Johns is yet again holding Adrian against the cage.
Miles Johns comes out the victor in a very close split decision, thought one of the judges even scored it 49-46 his way.
Their careers since
This victory got Johns on the 2019 season of Dana White’s Contender Series, which he won via unanimous decision. His UFC record stands at 6-2 with one no-contest. Although losing to Mario Bautista and John Castañeda, Miles is still going strong in the promotion, with a three-fight win streak.
Yanez, on the other hand, had to win three fights after their clash with Johns to be selected to DWCS in August 2020. Winning his first fight in front of Dana White, Adrian went on to win his next five bouts with five bonuses. The momentum was ruined by the crafty Rob Font, who starched Yanez in a round. Another finish loss to Jonathan Martinez didn’t look well at all for the La Porte representative, but he managed to get a first round victory over Vinicius Salvador in May of this year.
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