Charles Johnson has come out on top against Joshua Van, thus riding on a 3-win streak! The St.Louis-native had been on a rough streak that saw him lose back-to-back fights against Ode Osbourne, Cody Durden, and Rafael Estevam. But with his performance against Azat Maksum and Jake Hadley, Johnson has managed to snap the unfortunate string of losses and get back into the win column!

However, along with celebrating his win, fans watching were left intrigued by the myriad of tattoos sported by Johnson. Spread all over his body, what caught the most attention, though, was the massive Olympic logo sprawled across his back. But what’s the story behind the five rings that the fighter sports?

Charles Johnson was a part of the track and field community once!

An ankh, the Olympic symbol, a set of wings, hieroglyphs and countless other symbols adorn 33-year-old Johnson’s body. Traditionally recognized as the “Olympic Olive Wreath”, a mark of the spirit of the games, the logo “represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.” However, for Johnson, that’s all it is as he has never been a part of the games. But his previous relationship with the track and field community might explain the tattoo’s significance.

As per reports available online, he was a 2-time AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) champion in 3,000 run. He attended University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, and was a part of the Southwestern Athletic Conference in cross country. As per the Southeast Missouri State University Athletics website, Johnson’s last cross country event was in 2013. He competed in five events and placed fourth at the SIUE Cross County Challenge. Apart from that, he was qualified in the state selection in track and field, cross country and wrestling. Now that’s what we call a multitasker!

Chalong Ink, a tattoo studio based in Phuket, Thailand, has been credited with the Egyptian designs. The shop is particularly popular among UFC fighters, as is evident from its official Instagram profile. Exactly when Johnson got the tattoo is still unclear, though. Maybe his association with athletics has got something to do with it.

Nevertheless, with the much-needed victory streak, Johnson will be looking to establish himself in the flyweight division. But despite his win coming at the UFC Apex, the fighter seems to be done with the venue! Instead, his sights were on a place closer to his heart!

Johnson slams the UFC Apex arena

UFC Fight Nights held at the Apex facility in Las Vegas have drawn criticism from fighters in the past, with flyweight Charles Johnson joining the ranks. Johnson, who has fought five consecutive times at the venue since his promotional debut, expressed frustration at missing the full UFC experience.

In an interview, prior to his fight at UFC Vegas 85, he stated, “My whole career is gonna be in the f—king Apex, you know? No fans. I can’t even get my wife in there and my baby girl ‘cause the tickets are f—king $1,600 plus.” Despite appreciating the venue, Johnson expressed a longing for the energy and support of fans present in larger arenas, comparing the Apex experience to a sparring session rather than a true fight.

After his win against Maksum in the bag, there was still one thing he wanted more than anything: fighting in his hometown!

His dream finallycame true with UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. Ahead of his fight with former Cage Warriors Champion Jake Hadley, Johnson spoke in detail about the significance of the bout. “It means everything. We talked about this over the course of years, growing up here like, ‘We’re going to be in the UFC and fight in St. Louis,’ and I was here for the last St. Louis card in 2018. For me, it’s just working a dream into fruition, staying constant, staying disciplined and working the vision,” Johnson said in an interview to UFC.com, earlier this year. The hometown hero won by unanimous decision despite a slow start. After an aggressive Hadley opened the first round, Johnson worked his way up to outshine his opponent.

Now it remains to be seen whether the fighter is on a trajectory for greater glory or has finally tasted the essence of an electric crowd with a TKO against Joshua Van. Do you think he’ll keep riding the high train? Tell us your predictions in the comments below!