Johnny Case (born June 28, 1989) is an American

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

who currently competes in the

Lightweight Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing. Boxing Professional boxing The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing. Notable lightweight boxe ...

division of

RIZIN Rizin Fighting Federation (Rizin FF or Rizin) is a Japanese mixed martial arts organization created in 2015 by the former Pride Fighting Championships and Dream Stage Entertainment president Nobuyuki Sakakibara. Rizin was founded to be the spir ...

. A professional since 2007, he formerly competed in the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

Professional Fighters League The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is an American mixed martial arts league founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis in 2017 and launched in 2018, following the acquisition and restructuring of the former World Series of Fighting (WSOF) promot ...

, and RFA.

Background

Case was born and raised in

Jefferson, Iowa Jefferson is a city in, and the county seat of Greene County, Iowa, United States, along the Raccoon River, North Raccoon River. The population was 4,182 at the time of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. It is the home of the Mahanay Me ...

. He began wrestling in kindergarten and continued through Jefferson-Scranton High School from where he graduated. He had a wrestling scholarship for college but opted to turn it down in pursuit of mixed martial arts career.

Mixed martial arts career

Case began competing professionally almost immediately, losing in the first round in his first two fights after just one amateur fight, a first-round win. He competed for various regional promotions across the

Midwest The Midwestern United States, also referred to as the Midwest or the American Midwest, is one of four Census Bureau Region, census regions of the United States Census Bureau (also known as "Region 2"). It occupies the northern central part of ...

for several years, compiling a record of 18–4 along the way, before signing with the UFC on the heels of an eight fight win streak in the spring of 2014.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Case was initially slated to make his UFC debut as a short-notice replacement for

Francisco Treviño Francisco Javier Treviño Ibarguen (born December 17, 1981) is a Mexican mixed martial artist with American citizenship. He competes in the Lightweight division, and formerly fought for the UFC. He was born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas but grew up ...

to face Joe Ellenberger on June 28, 2014 at

UFC Fight Night 44 ''UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 44'') was a mixed martial arts event held at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Background The event was the first that the organization has hosted in San Antonio. Zu ...

. However, Case did not pass an eye exam and was replaced by

James Moontasri James Moontasri ( th, เจมส์ มูลทาศรี; born April 10, 1988) is a retired German-born American mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. Moontasri has competed in RFA and is currently signed with the ...

. Case eventually debuted against

Kazuki Tokudome is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of ONE Championship. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed in Pancrase, Sengoku Raiden Championships and the Ultimate Fighting ...

on September 20, 2014 at

UFC Fight Night 52 ''UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 52'') was a mixed martial arts event held on September 20, 2014, at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Background The event was the third time that the organization hosted ...

. Case won the fight via technical submission in the second round. The finish earned Case a ''Performance of the Night'' bonus. Case was linked to a bout with

Paul Felder Paul Felder (born April 25, 1984) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and color commentator for UFC. He competed in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2011, Felder also ...

on January 18, 2015 at

UFC Fight Night 59 ''UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 59'') was a mixed martial arts event held on January 18, 2015, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Background The event was headlined by a featherweight bout between ...

. However, Felder elected to fight as a replacement against

Danny Castillo Daniel Alfonso Castillo (born August 25, 1979) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2007 until 2015, he competed in 22 bouts with both the UFC and WEC. Mixed martial arts career Early career Castillo began training M ...

UFC 182 ''UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier'' was a mixed martial arts event held on January 3, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Background The event was headlined by a Light Heavyweight Championship bout between the champion at that ...

and was briefly replaced by

. On December 23, it was announced that Treviño had to pull out of the bout due to an injury and was replaced by newcomer

Frankie Perez Frankie Perez (born May 11, 1989) is a mixed martial artist specializing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu who has competed in both the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as well as World Series of Fighting. Originally from Wallington, Perez moved to Howell ...

. Case finished Perez via TKO in the third round. Case faced Francisco Treviño on June 13, 2015 at

UFC 188 ''UFC 188: Velasquez vs. Werdum'' was a mixed martial arts event held on June 13, 2015, at Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City, Mexico. Background The event was headlined by a UFC Heavyweight Championship unification bout between then champio ...

. He won the fight by unanimous decision. As the first bout of his new five-fight contract, Case faced

Yan Cabral Yan Cabral (born 13 May 1983 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a mixed martial artist, grappler and 4th degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt practitioner and instructor associated with the Nova União academy. A former UFC fighter, Cabral trained ...

on November 7, 2015 at

UFC Fight Night 77 ''UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 77'') was a mixed martial arts event held on November 7, 2015, at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera in São Paulo, Brazil. Background The event was the fourth held in São Pa ...

. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Case faced Jake Matthews on March 20, 2016 at

UFC Fight Night 85 ''UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 85'') was a mixed martial arts event held on March 20, 2016, at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Background The event was the second that th ...

. Case lost the fight via submission in the third round. Both participants were awarded ''Fight of the Night''. Case was scheduled to face

James Vick James William Vick (born February 23, 1987) is a retired American mixed martial artist and boxer who formerly competed in the welterweight and lightweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Vick was a cast member of '' The U ...

on February 4, 2017 at

UFC Fight Night 104 ''UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 104'') was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 4, 2017, at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Background A feathe ...

. However, on January 19, Case pulled out of the fight with an injury and was replaced by Abel Trujillo. Case faced

Anthony Rocco Martin Anthony "Tony" Rocco Martin (born December 11, 1989) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight and welterweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Born in Palos Heights, Illinois, M ...

on June 25, 2017 at

UFC Fight Night 112 ''UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 112'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship held on June 25, 2017, at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Background The ...

. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. It was later announced that Case was released from the UFC.

Professional Fighters League

Racking two victories in the regional circuit, Case signed with the

to participate as an alternate on short notice against

Jason High Jason High (born October 12, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor since 2005, High has also competed for Strikeforce, Aff ...

at PFL 7 on August 30, 2018. However, High was not unable to make weight and Case was awarded a walkover victory with which he advanced to the playoffs. In the playoffs Case was pitted against

Natan Schulte Natan Silveira Schulte (born February 20, 1992) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League. Background Natan Schulte was born in Joinville, where he has family, and started tra ...

at PFL 9 on October 13, 2018. The bout ended in a majority draw, but Schulte advanced to the semi-finals and Case was eliminated from the tournament.

Rizin FF

As the first bout of his four-fight contract, Case faced Yusuke Yachi at Rizin 14 on December 31, 2018. He won the fight via TKO due to a cut in the second round. Case then faced

Satoru Kitaoka , is a Japanese shoot wrestler and mixed martial artist who most recently competed for RIZIN. A professional competitor since 2000, he has also competed for DREAM, Pancrase, DEEP, and World Victory Road. Kitaoka is renowned for his catch wrest ...

at Rizin 17 on July 28, 2019. He won the bout via technical knockout after the initial round.

Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix

After the Kitaoka bout it was announced that Case would be participating the Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix. In the quarterfinals at Rizin 19 on October 12, 2019, Case faced

Roberto de Souza Roberto Satoshi de Souza (born September 19, 1989; ) is a Japanese-Brazilian , , lead=yes are Brazilian citizens who are nationals or naturals of Japanese ancestry or Japanese immigrants living in Brazil or Japanese pe ...

. Case won the fight via first round knockout, advancing to the semifinals. In the semifinals which were at Rizin 20 on December 31, 2019, Case faced Tofiq Musayev. After the back-and-forth fight, Case lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Return to PFL

In January 2020 it was announced that Case will be returning to the PFL and participating the third season's lightweight division tournament. Case was expected to face Loik Radzhabov on April 23, 2021 at PFL 1. However, due to an arrest, Case had to pull out and was replaced by Alexander Martinez.

Return to Rizin FF

Case challenged for the Rizin Lightweight Championship against reigning champion

Rizin 35 Rizin Fighting Federation (Rizin FF or Rizin) is a Japanese mixed martial arts organization created in 2015 by the former Pride Fighting Championships and Dream Stage Entertainment president Nobuyuki Sakakibara. Rizin was founded to be the sp ...

on April 16, 2022. He lost the bout in the first round via reverse triangle armbar. Beynoah faced Nobumitsu Osawa at

Rizin 40 ''Bellator MMA vs. Rizin FF'' and ''Rizin 40'' was a mixed martial arts event being co-promoted by Bellator MMA and the Rizin Fighting Federation that took place on December 31, 2022, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Background Th ...

on December 31, 2022. He won the fight by first-round knockout 36 seconds into the bout.

Personal life

Case has two sons – Kruz and Kuper – from a previous relationship. On April 1, 2021, Case was arrested for domestic battery charges in Las Vegas, Nevada. Case claimed self-defense in throwing the victim to the ground to stop her from striking him. Due to Case corroborating the victim’s report that he threw her to the ground – along with his history as a professional fighter – police deemed him as the primary aggressor. The case was later dropped.

Championships and accomplishments

Performance of the Night UFC Bonus Awards are three separate cash bonuses usually awarded to four fighters after each UFC event, based on internal decisions by UFC management. More/fewer bonuses have been awarded at some events, especially when no knockouts or submissions ...

(One time) ** Fight of the Night (One time) *Midwest Cage Championship **MCC Lightweight Championship (one time; former) ***Three successful title defenses

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Win , align=center, 28–9–1 , Nobumitsu Osawa , TKO (punches) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:36 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 27–9–1 , Koji Takeda , Decision (unanimous) , Rizin 37 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 27–8–1 ,

, Submission (reverse triangle armbar) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:32 ,

Chōfu is a city in the western side of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 238,087, and a population density of 11,000 per km². the total area of the city is . Geography Chōfu is approximately in the south-center of ...

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 27–7–1 , Tofiq Musayev , TKO (punches) , Rizin 20 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:46 , Saitama,

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

, , - , Win , align=center, 27–6–1 ,

, TKO (punch) , Rizin 19 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:15 ,

Osaka is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the third most populous city in Japan, following Special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama. With a population of 2. ...

, , - , Win , align=center, 26–6–1 ,

, TKO (corner stoppage) , Rizin 17 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Saitama, Japan is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance. Being in the Greater Tokyo Area and lying 1 ...

, , - , Win , align=center, 25–6–1 , Yusuke Yachi , TKO (doctor stoppage) , Rizin 14 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:47 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Draw , align=center, 24–6–1 ,

, Draw (majority) , PFL 9 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Long Beach, California Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It is the 42nd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 466,742 as of 2020. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California. Incorporate ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 24–6 , Jose Luis Verdugo , TKO (punches) , Iron Boy MMA 12 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:36 ,

Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 23–6 , Brandon Longano , TKO (punches) , Extreme Beatdown 21 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:25 ,

New Town, North Dakota New Town is a city in Mountrail County, North Dakota. The population was 2,764 at the time of the 2020 census, making it the 18th largest city in North Dakota. New Town was platted in 1950 as a replacement site for the residents of Sanish and ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 22–6 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, and ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 22–5 , Jake Matthews , Submission (rear-naked choke) , UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:45 ,

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

, Australia , , - , Win , align=center, 22–4 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

São Paulo São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...

, Brazil , , - , Win , align=center, 21–4 ,

, Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Mexico City Mexico City ( es, link=no, Ciudad de México, ; abbr.: CDMX; Nahuatl: ''Altepetl Mexico'') is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and the most populous city in North America. One of the world's alpha cities, it is located in the Valley o ...

, Mexico , , - , Win , align=center, 20–4 ,

, TKO (elbows and punches) , UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:54 , Boston, Massachusetts, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 19–4 ,

, Technical Submission (guillotine choke) , UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:34 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 18–4 , E.J. Brooks , Decision (split) , RFA 10 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines () is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small part of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–4 , Ted Worthington , TKO (submission to punches) , MCC 49 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:47 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–4 , Demi Deeds , TKO (punches) , MCC 46 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:12 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–4 , Sean Wilson , TKO (submission to punches) , MCC 44 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:07 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 14–4 , Jay Ellis , KO (punch) , Brutaal: Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:30 ,

Red Wing, Minnesota Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, along the upper Mississippi River. The population was 16,547 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. It is the county seat of Goodhue County. This ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–4 , Derek Getzel , Decision (unanimous) , Brutaal: Fight Night , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–4 , Lonnie Scriven , KO (punch) , MCC 33 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:18 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–4 , Jeremy Castro , TKO (punches) , MCC 31 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:29 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 10–4 , Rick Glenn , TKO (submission to punches) , MCC 29 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:07 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–3 , Tyler Mills , KO (punches) , Brutaal: Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:31 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–3 , Mike Miller , Submission (rear-naked choke) , MCC 26 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:02 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–3 , Derek Getzel , TKO (punches) , Brutaal: Strikeforce Final , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:05 ,

Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–2 , James Winters , KO (punches) , Iowa Insanity: II , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:52 ,

Boone, Iowa Boone ( ) is a city in Des Moines Township, Boone County, Iowa, Des Moines Township, and county seat of Boone County, Iowa, Boone County, Iowa, United States. It is the principal city of the Boone, Iowa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which encom ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–2 , Brandon Bergeron , TKO (punches) , Brutaal Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:18 , St. Paul, Minnesota, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–2 , Gabe Walbridge , Submission (guillotine choke) , Ambition Promotions: The Crucible , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:29 , St. Paul, Minnesota, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–2 , Roland Larson , KO (punch) , Brutaal Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:59 ,

Ames, Iowa Ames () is a city in Story County, Iowa, United States, located approximately north of Des Moines in central Iowa. It is best known as the home of Iowa State University (ISU), with leading agriculture, design, engineering, and veterinary medici ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–2 , Nate Boebel , KO (punches) , Brutaal Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:51 ,

LaCrosse, Wisconsin La Crosse is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of La Crosse County. Positioned alongside the Mississippi River, La Crosse is the largest city on Wisconsin's western border. La Crosse's population as of the 2020 census w ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–2 , Travis Nath , Submission (choke) , Brutaal Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:03 ,

Maplewood, Minnesota Maplewood is a city in Ramsey County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 42,088 at the 2020 census. Maplewood is ten minutes' drive from downtown Saint Paul. It stretches along the northern and eastern borders of Saint Paul. Maplewo ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–2 , Tim Morris , TKO (punches) , Brutaal Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:50 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–2 , Jerald Steer , KO (punch) , Brutaal Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:48 ,

Elko, Minnesota Elko was a city in Scott County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 472 at the 2000 census. In January 2007, Elko merged with New Market to become Elko New Market. Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 0–2 ,

Marcus LeVesseur Ausburg Auggies Marcus LeVesseur (born July 17, 1982) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2003, he competed for the UFC and Adrenaline MMA. As a collegiat ...

, KO (punch) , Seconds Out/Vivid MMA , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:23 , St. Paul, Minnesota, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 0–1 , Chad Murphy , Submission (armbar) , Brutaal Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, N/A ,

, United States , , -

Professional boxing record

Entrepreneur career

Case made it public in 2016 that he was making his first investment, by purchasing Midwest Cage Championship from MCC founder, Ryan Hass. Based out of Des Moines, Iowa, Johnny Hollywood got his start in MMA by fighting for MCC and would eventually become the MCC Lightweight Champion. Case has stated that he is actively pursuing his life outside of his MMA career, as an entrepreneur and investor, with his Venture Capital firm. Hollywood established his firm in 2015 and started to pick up steam in 2016.

References

External links

Johnny Hollywood website
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Case, Johnny Living people 1989 births American male mixed martial artists Lightweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Mixed martial artists from Iowa People from Jefferson, Iowa Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters American male boxers American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu