Romanov vs Johnson

Who won Romanov vs Johnson?

Alexander Romanov beat Timothy Johnson by submission in the 1st round during the prelims of PFL 2025 World Tournament, on Thursday 1st May 2025 at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Heavyweight division, which meant the weight limit was 265 pounds (18.9 stone or 120.2 KG).

Romanov vs Johnson stats

Alexander Romanov stepped into the octagon with a record of 18 wins, 3 losses and 0 draws, 6 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 9 by submission.

Timothy Johnson made his way to the cage with a record of 18 wins, 11 losses and 0 draws, 10 of those wins coming by knock out and 3 by submission.

This was Alexander Romanov's 1st fight in the PFL, having made his debut for the promotion in 2025. Timothy Johnson marked his 4th fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2024.

Alexander Romanov's PFL record stood at 1-0-0, while Timothy Johnson's came in at 1-3-0.

The stats suggested Johnson had a large advantage in power over Romanov, boasting a 56% knock out percentage over Romanov's 33%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Romanov had a massive advantage over Johnson, boasting a 50% submission rate over Johnson's 17%.

Alexander Romanov was the younger man by 6 years, at 34 years old.

Johnson had a height advantage of 1 inch over Romanov. That also extended to a 3-inch reach advantage.

Romanov was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 8 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2016, 6 years later than Johnson, whose first professional fight was in 2010. He had fought 15 less professional rounds, 36 to Johnson's 51.

Romanov vs Johnson form

Alexander Romanov had beaten 2 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Rodrigo Nascimento at UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi on 2nd November 2024 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Rogers Place, Edmonton, Canada.

Previous to that, he had lost to Jailton Almeida at UFC 302 on 1st June 2024 by submission in the 1st round at Prudential Center, Newark, United States.

Going into that contest, he had beaten Blagoy Ivanov at UFC Fight Night – Strickland vs. Magomedov on 1st July 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

Before that, he had been beaten by Alexander Volkov at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili on 11th March 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at The Theater at Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas.

He had been defeated by Marcin Tybura at UFC 278 on 20th August 2022 by majority decision in their 3 round contest at Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City.

Johnson had beaten 2 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 1 of them, going the distance once.

In his last fight before this contest, he had lost to Vadim Nemkov at PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes on 25th January 2025 by submission in the 1st round at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Previous to that, he had been beaten by Denis Goltsov at PFL 7: 2024 Playoffs on 2nd August 2024 by knockout in the 1st round at Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, United States.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Danilo Marques at PFL 4: 2024 Regular Season on 13th June 2024 by knockout in the 1st round at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville.

Before that, he was victorious against Said Sowma at Bellator 294 on 21st April 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Honolulu.

He had been defeated by Linton Vassell at Bellator 277 on 15th April 2022 by knockout in the 1st round at SAP Center, San Jose.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Alexander Romanov had been fighting more than Timothy Johnson.

Going to this contest, Alexander Romanov had last fought 6 months and 5 days ago, while Timothy Johnson's last outing had been 3 months and 12 days ago.

Romanov's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 8 months and 17 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 6 months and 17 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 11 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.2 rounds on average.

Johnson's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years and 22 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 11 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 7 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 1.4 rounds on average.

What time did Romanov vs Johnson start?

The fighters were expected to walk out at around 12:40 AM UTC , which was 8:40 PM EST or 5:40 PM PST on the West Coast of America, or 1:40 AM BST in the UK.

What were the odds on Romanov vs Johnson?

Alexander Romanov was a 1/9 (-910) favourite going into the contest, while Timothy Johnson made his way into the ring at 11/2 (+550) with oddsmakers.