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Aaron Johnson

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Aaron Johnson, commonly known as “Tex” Johnson, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Philip Smith and Murilo Santana. Originally known as one of the main representatives of the Unity Jiu-Jitsu Academy of New York City, Tex would later join Fight Sports, where he continued his good form. An International Brazilian jiu-jitsu Federation (IBJJF) 3x Pan American No-Gi Champion, Johnson is known for his aggressive and submission-oriented style with which he submitted some of the sport’s biggest stars, names such as Davi Ramos and Jackson Sousa. Tex is also a former professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter holding the record for fastest submission inside the famous Bellator MMA promotion cage (15 seconds).

Aaron Johnson Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Aaron Michael Johnson

Nickname: Aaron is often referenced by the name of “Tex”, this byname is correlated with Johnson’s early days playing football for his high school in Georgia, US. Johnson had moved from Texas to GA at the time and for that reason, he was called “Texas”. A label later shortened to Tex.

Lineage 1:Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti (Jacaré) > Roberto Traven > Philip Smith > Aaron Johnson

Lineage 2: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Marcelo Behring > Mário Yamasaki > Murilo Santana > Aaron Johnson

Main Achievements:

  • 1st Place ADCC East Coast US Trials (2018)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Pans Championship NOGI (2016 / 2017 / 2018)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Dallas Open NOGI (2021**)
  • 1st Place IBJJF New York Spring Open (2017 / 2018)
  • 1st Place IBJJF New York Spring NOGI Open (2017)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Atlanta Winter Open (2017 / 2018)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Atlanta Summer Open NOGI (2017**)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF Pans Championship NoGi (2019)
  • 2nd Place Kasai Pro 5 HW Grand Prix (2019)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF Boston Spring Open (2016)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF New York Spring Open NoGi (2017*)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship NoGi (2017)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF Atlanta Winter Open (2016)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

  • 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2015 brown)

Favorite Position/Technique: Straight ankle lock

Weight Division: Super Pesado (100,50 kg / 222.0 lbs)

Team/Association: Unity JJ

Aaron Johnson Biography

Aaron Michael Johnson was born on April 01, 1986, in Bedford, a city located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States of America. Aaron’s father was in the military, and for that reason, Johnson moved regularly and lived across the country.

The interest in martial arts was strongly embedded in Jonhson’s family, and it was with his family members that Aaron started practicing tae kwon do as a child. During his teenage years ‘Tex’ joined his high school’s football program, a sport he played for four years. He would later add wrestling to his weekly activities, competing for Douglasville High School GA for one year, as a heavyweight.

After his 21st birthday, Tex Johnson decided to give kickboxing a try, joining muay Thai shortly after. Aaron went on to compete in a few unsanctioned amateur fights (smoker tournaments), conquering a flawless win streak of TKO/KO’s along the way.

The desire to compete in combat sports led Tex to raise the bar and aim for a career in mixed martial arts, giving a start to his preparation in 2008 at the Knuckleup Fitness gym. With little experience in grappling, one of the main combat disciplines for a cage fighter, Johnson would later choose to add jiu-jitsu to his training schedule with coach Steve Headden.

The Hadden + Johnson partnership stood for a few years, even though Aaron trained with other jiu-jitsu coaches such as Rigan Machado and Jimmy Long during this period. His quest for the best training available would later drive Tex to Atlanta, GA, where he worked with academies such as American Top Team (ATT) and Brian Stann’s Warrior Legion. It was also in Atlanta that Johnson joined the Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters, being already a brown belt at the time.

At Alliance, Tex Johnson’s training was guided by the team leader/founder Romero Cavalcanti, as well as world champions Leo Nogueira and Lucas Lepri. This was also a time when Aaron started gaining more interest in BJJ’s competitive scene. In 2014 Lepri made the move to Charlotte, opening his own gym there. Being a fan of Lucas’ coaching style, Johnson followed suit and remained under the lightweight legend’s guidance, moving to the North Carolina city for that purpose.

Unfortunately for Tex, things did not run smoothly in Charlotte, and shortly after the move, he was asked to leave the team by coach Lepri. When inquired about the reasons behind the request, Johnson said “Lucas gave me two reasons for being kicked out. The first was because I was teaching jiu-jitsu down the road at a UFC Gym. Before I moved there I had told him I’d be working there and he said it was ok… (…) The second reason was that I was too aggressive during rolling” (BJJ Heroes, 10/2018).

After the Lucas Lepri ordeal, Aaron started actively looking for a team to train with. This was when his good friend and training partner Phil Smith decided to promote Johnson to black belt, a promotion that took place on April 26, 2015. Shortly after Tex did a competition camp, at Unity Jiu-Jitsu in New York City ahead of the NYC International Open. There he met coach Murilo Santana, who received Johnson with open arms and confirmed Aaron’s black belt rank.

After a successful run at the aforementioned NYC Open, Aaron opted to remain in New York to train full time with the Unity Team, a position he maintained until 2019. He would later join Miami’s Fight Sports Academy.

Tex Johnson Grappling Record

84 WINS
  • BY POINTS
    15 (18%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    5 (6%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    52 (62%)
  • BY DECISION
    7 (8%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY EBI/OT
    3 (4%)

52 SUBMISSIONS WINS

#214eb8
Straight ankle lock
31
16
#86e620
Kneebar
15
8
#5AD3D1
Toe hold
6
3
#d1212a
Choke from back
6
3
#fad11b
Heel hook
4
2
#f58822
Violin armlock
4
2
#224aba
Submission
4
2
#ff9124
Armbar
4
2
#bf1f6c
Inside heel hook
4
2
#22c9a5
Kimura
2
1
#fad223
Straignt ankle lock
2
1
#03861f
Flying armbar
2
1
#039a1f
Outside heel hook
2
1
#03b41f
Estima lock
2
1
#03c61f
Calf slicer
2
1
#03d61f
Footlock
2
1
#03f61f
Reverse triangle
2
1
#82ff5f
Triangle armbar
2
1
#a4ff5f
Triangle
2
1
#dbff5f
Mounted choke
2
1
Armlock
2
1
52
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
67 LOSSES
  • BY POINTS
    28 (42%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    1 (1%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    25 (37%)
  • BY DECISION
    6 (9%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY EBI/OT
    2 (3%)

25 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES

#214eb8
Inside heel hook
12
3
#86e620
RNC
12
3
#5AD3D1
Triangle armbar
12
3
#d1212a
Choke
8
2
#fad11b
Triangle
8
2
#f58822
Katagatame
8
2
#224aba
Armbar
4
1
#ff9124
Heel hook
4
1
#bf1f6c
Cross choke
4
1
#22c9a5
Choke from back
4
1
#fad223
Arm in guillotine
4
1
#03861f
Botinha
4
1
#039a1f
Brabo choke
4
1
#03b41f
Calf slicer
4
1
#03c61f
Reverse triangle
4
1
#03d61f
Arm in Ezekiel
4
1
25
(100%) SUBMISSIONS

Tex Johnson Fight History

ID Opponent W/L Method Competition Weight Stage Year
7672Quentin RosensweigLInside heel hookKakuto 5ABSSPF2015
8190Neiman GracieLRNCNoGi Pan Ams94KGSF2015
8785Richie MartinezRichie MartinezLHeel hookKakuto ChallengeABSSF2015
9059Leo NogueiraLeo NogueiraLPointsAtlanta W. Open94KGSF2016
9110Romulo AzevedoRomulo AzevedoLN/AUAEJJF NYC Pro94KGSF2016
9116Abraham MarteAbraham MarteLCross chokeUAEJJF NYC ProHWABS4F2016
9373Andre GalvaoAndre GalvaoLChokePan AmericanABSR22016
9500Joao SoaresLTriangleBoston Spring O.100KGF2016
10087Bernardo FariaBernardo FariaLTriangle armbarWorld Champ.ABSR22016
10120Joao RochaJoao RochaLChoke from backBJJ Tour - CTABSSF2016
10274Marcos TinocoMarcos TinocoLPointsNY Summer OpenABS4F2016
10489Mike HillebrandLInside heel hookEBI 884KGR12016
10684Dillon DanisDillon DanisLArm in guillotineNoGi Pan AmsABSSF2016
10944Yuri SimoesYuri SimoesLPts: 19x0NoGi WorldsO97KGSF2016
11671Leo NogueiraLeo NogueiraLPointsUAEJJF Orlando110KGF2017
11687Helton JoseHelton JoseLPts: 10x0Atlanta W. OpenABSSF2017
11947Jonathan SatavaJonathan SatavaLPointsUAEJJF NY ProU110KG4F2017
12001Keenan CorneliusKeenan CorneliusLPointsLA National ProU110KGF2017
12224Tanner RiceTanner RiceLPts: 4x2Pan American94KG8F2017
12416Gianni GrippoGianni GrippoLPointsNY Spring No-GiABSF2017
13021Joao RochaJoao RochaLBotinhaWorld Champ.ABSR12017
13190Leandro LoLeandro LoLBrabo chokeWorld Champ.94KG8F2017
13426Mahamed AlyMahamed AlyLCalf slicerNY S. No-Gi OpenO97KGF2017
13434DJ JacksonDJ JacksonLPointsNY S. No-Gi OpenABSSF2017
13647Gordon RyanGordon RyanLReverse triangleGrappling Ind.ABSSF2017
14552Craig JonesCraig JonesLInside heel hookEBI 14ABSSF2017
14715Joao AssisJoao AssisLPts: 2x0NoGi Worlds97KGSF2017
14727Keenan CorneliusKeenan CorneliusLRNCNoGi WorldsABSR12017
14986Dany GerardDany GerardLPts: 0x0, AdvUS National Pro110KGSF2018
15220Matt LeightonMatt LeightonLPointsContinental Pro110KGRR2018
15311Tanner RiceTanner RiceLDQMarianas EPO85KGF2018
15440Tanner RiceTanner RiceLPts: 7x2Pan American94KG4F2018
16312Matt LeightonMatt LeightonLTriangle armbarF2W 7393KGSPF2018
16363Fellipe TrovoFellipe TrovoLPts: 4x2ACB North America95KG4F2018
16376Victor SilverioVictor SilverioLReferee DecisionACB North AmericaABS8F2018
17390Rafael VasconcelosRafael VasconcelosLDQWashington NGO97KGF2018
17397Diogo SampaioDiogo SampaioLDQNo Gi Pan Am.ABS8F2018
18699Max GimenisMax GimenisLPts: 6x0NoGi WorldsO97KG4F2018
18722Yuri SimoesYuri SimoesLPts: 5x0NoGi WorldsABSR32018
18872Keenan CorneliusKeenan CorneliusLPts: 34x0Coast GrapplingABSSPF2019
19658Patrick GaudioPatrick GaudioLPts: 15x0Pan American94KG4F2019
19812Kaynan DuarteKaynan DuarteLPts: 6x1Kasai 593KGF2019
20713Mahamed AlyMahamed AlyLChokeWorld Champ.100KGR22019
20988Craig JonesCraig JonesLRNCKASAI SS Florida92KGSPF2019
21271Tim SpriggsTim SpriggsLReferee DecisionF2W 119100KGSPF2019
21626Max GimenisMax GimenisLPts: 11x0No Gi Pan Am.O97KGF2019
21851James PuopoloJames PuopoloLPts: 3x0ADCC99KGR12019
21930Marcus AlmeidaMarcus AlmeidaLPts: 3x0ADCCABS4F2019
22527Kyle BoehmKyle BoehmLEBI/OTKOTM 7ABSF2019
22559Kyle BoehmKyle BoehmLEBI/OTBJJ FanaticsABSSF2019
22838Victor HugoVictor HugoLTriangle armbarNoGi WorldsABSR12019
22923Freddy VosgroneLReferee DecisionNoGi Worlds97KG4F2019
23479Gordon RyanGordon RyanLKatagatameSub StarsN/ASPF2020
24081Rafael VasconcelosRafael VasconcelosLPts: 3x0Grand Slam MIA94KGSF2020
24087Fellipe TrovoFellipe TrovoLTriangleGrand Slam MIA94KG3RD2020
24122Paulo GabrielPaulo GabrielLPts: 6x4Pan AmericanABSR12020
24240Guilherme AugustoGuilherme AugustoLArm in EzekielPan American100KG4F2020
24277Daishi GotoLDQNFC All ValleyABSSF2020
24347William TackettWilliam TackettLKatagatameSubversiv 4ABS4F2020
24533Kaynan DuarteKaynan DuarteLArmbarNo Gi Pan Am.97KGF2020
25134Max GimenisMax GimenisLReferee DecisionF2W 163ABSSPF2021
25500Vinicius TratorVinicius TratorLPts: 5x0Orlando NGOO91KGF2021
25611Kaynan DuarteKaynan DuarteLPoints3CG 6 AbsoluteABS4F2021
26069Matheus GabrielMatheus GabrielLPts: 2x0N.Orleans NGOABS4F2021
26212Victor HugoVictor HugoLPts: 2x2NoGi Pan Am.O97KGF2021
26944Gustavo BatistaGustavo BatistaLReferee DecisionF2W 176N/ASPF2021
27927Tim SpriggsTim SpriggsLReferee DecisionWNO Champ.ABSSF2021
7673Vitor SchlosserWToe holdNY Summer Open94KGSF2015
7674Ricardo BastosWStraight ankle lockNY Summer Open94KGF2015
8857Joseph CashinWPointsGrappling Ind.ABSSF2016
8858Gordon RyanGordon RyanWPointsGrappling Ind.ABSF2016
9109Wellington PerotoWStraight ankle lockUAEJJF NYC Pro94KG4F2016
9499Lincoln PereiraWChoke from backBoston Spring O.100KGSF2016
10074Choi ChoiWPts: 0x0, AdvWorld Champ.ABSR12016
10678Leo DavilaWStraight ankle lockNoGi Pan AmsO97KGF2016
10681Samir AbdolkaderWFlying armbarNoGi Pan AmsABS4F2016
10943Eliot MarshallEliot MarshallWToe holdNoGi WorldsO97KG4F2016
11940Shaun DufreeWToe holdUAEJJF NY Pro110KGSF2017
12000William NymanWSubmissionLA National ProU110KGSF2017
12399Daniel RichardsWPointsNY Spring OpenO100KGSF2017
12400Christian SimmerlingWPointsNY Spring OpenO100KGF2017
12414Joao PauloWPointsNY Spring No-GiABSSF2017
13182Josh BowlinWPts: 7x6World Champ.94KGR12017
13240Kaliffa OlivieraWReferee DecisionF2W 3694KGSPF2017
13550Kory AcchioneWReferee DecisionF2W 43N/ASPF2017
13984Leo DavillaWArmbarAtlanta SM NGO97KGF2017
13985Taniel SantosWStraight ankle lockAtlanta SM NGOABSF2017
14025Oleksandr KarliychukWStraight ankle lockNo Gi Pan Am.O97KGSF2017
14027Matt LeightonMatt LeightonWReferee DecisionNo Gi Pan Am.O97KGF2017
14544Matt KirchwhemWEBI/OTEBI 14ABSR12017
14549A. KimlerWArmbarEBI 14ABS4F2017
14712Paul ArdilaPaul ArdilaWPts: 4x0NoGi Worlds97KG4F2017
14988Vitor SchlosserWChoke from backUS National Pro110KG3RD2018
15060Gilvan CostaWStraight ankle lockAtlanta W. Open94KGSF2018
15061Inacio NetoInacio NetoWKneebarAtlanta W. Open94KGF2018
15218Kenneth BrownWPts: 4x2Continental Pro110KGRR2018
15310Frisco DeLeonWAdvMarianas EPO85KGSF2018
15347Rodrigo FreitasRodrigo FreitasWCalf slicerPan AmericanABSR12018
15355Tanner RiceTanner RiceWKneebarPan AmericanABSR22018
15436Wellington PerotoWStraight ankle lockPan American94KG8F2018
15973Thiago JiulianiWPointsNY Spring Open100KGSF2018
15974Nicholas PenzerWStraight ankle lockNY Spring Open100KGF2018
17455Roberto TorralbasWPts: 2x0No Gi Pan Am.97KGSF2018
17456Jackson SousaJackson SousaWFootlockNo Gi Pan Am.97KGF2018
18055Tom deBlassTom deBlassWReferee DecisionF2W 91ABSSPF2018
18164Riley MccormickWReverse triangleADCC EC TrialsO99KGR12018
18166JeQuan WilliamsonWTriangle armbarADCC EC TrialsO99KG4F2018
18167Andrew TevayWKneebarADCC EC TrialsO99KGSF2018
18170Hudson TaylorWKneebarADCC EC TrialsO99KGF2018
18422Kevin GallagerWPointsGamblers Inv.ABSSPF2018
18696Satoshi IshiiWTriangleNoGi WorldsO97KGR12018
18706Ben HodgkinsonWStraight ankle lockNoGi WorldsABSR12018
18721David GarmoDavid GarmoWPts: 10x2NoGi WorldsABSR22018
19025Ricardo AbreuRicardo AbreuWPts: 1x0Kasai Dallas94KGSPF2019
19356Gustavo AndradeWStraight ankle lockPortland OpenABSSF2019
19358Nisar LoynabNisar LoynabWStraight ankle lockPortland OpenABSF2019
19407Matt LeightonMatt LeightonWStraight ankle lockSubSpectrumABSSPF2019
19656M SturuaWChoke from backPan American94KG8F2019
19800Jackson SousaJackson SousaWInside heel hookKasai 593KGRR2019
19801Valdir AraujoValdir AraujoD---Kasai 593KGRR2019
19803Felipe PenaFelipe PenaWInside heel hookKasai 593KGRR2019
20706Lucasz GustawWMounted chokeWorld Champ.100KGR12019
21624Paulo BrasilWSubmissionNo Gi Pan Am.O97KGSF2019
21635Briean BeauryWArmlockNo Gi Pan Am.ABS8F2019
21639Todd MueckenheimWKimuraNo Gi Pan Am.ABS4F2019
21923Jon BlankJon BlankWStraight ankle lockADCCABSR12019
22518Viktor VaughnWHeel hookKOTM 7ABSR12019
22522Guybson SaGuybson SaWHeel hookKOTM 7ABS4F2019
22526Quentin RosenzweigWKneebarKOTM 7ABSSF2019
22547Keith KrikorianKeith KrikorianWEBI/OTBJJ FanaticsABSR12019
22553William VincentWStraignt ankle lockBJJ FanaticsABSR22019
22557William TackettWilliam TackettWEBI/OTBJJ FanaticsABS4F2019
23471Angelo ClaiborneAngelo ClaiborneWStraight ankle lockMiami WOABSSF2020
23922Michael EgleyWStraight ankle lockSUBVERSIV 3ABSR12020
23959Rafael LovatoRafael LovatoWReferee DecisionF2W 151126KGSPF2020
24079Bruno AssisWPts: 2x1Grand Slam MIA94KG4F2020
24085Eric SchlosserWDQGrand Slam MIA94KGRPC2020
24276Don ScozzariWKneebarNFC All ValleyABS4F2020
24336Fellipe TrovoFellipe TrovoWReferee DecisionSubversiv 4ABSR12020
24532Arnaldo MaidanaArnaldo MaidanaWStraight ankle lockNo Gi Pan Am.97KGSF2020
25072Arnaldo MaidanaArnaldo MaidanaWViolin armlockF2W 16194KGSPF2021
25271Jackson DouglasJackson DouglasWViolin armlockDallas NGOO97KGRR2021
25273Joe DierkhisingJoe DierkhisingWPts: 2x2, AdvDallas NGOO97KGF2021
25278Rida HaisamRida HaisamWPts: 0x0, AdvDallas NGOABS4F2021
25283David GarmoDavid GarmoWKneebarDallas NGOABSF2021
25498Alexandre BuenoWPts: 0x0, AdvOrlando NGOO91KGSF2021
25504Damon MorganWKneebarOrlando NGOABS4F2021
25509Pedro PalharesWN/AOrlando NGOABSSF2021
25510Giancarlo BodoniGiancarlo BodoniWOutside heel hookOrlando NGOABSF2021
26210John HansenWEstima lockNoGi Pan Am.O97KGSF2021
26647Lucas BarbosaLucas BarbosaWReferee DecisionF2W 174N/ASPF2021
27925Orlando SanchezOrlando SanchezWDQWNO Champ.ABS4F2021

Aaron Johnson Highlight

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