Johnny Case (born June 28, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist and professional boxer who currently competes in the Lightweight division of RIZIN. A professional since 2007, he formerly competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Professional Fighters League, and RFA.
Case was born and raised in Jefferson, Iowa.[4] He began wrestling in kindergarten and continued through Jefferson-Scranton High School from where he graduated.[8][4] He had a wrestling scholarship for college but opted to turn it down in pursuit of mixed martial arts career.[9]
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 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.[10][11]
Case was initially slated to make his UFC debut as a short-notice replacement for Francisco Treviño to face Joe Ellenberger on June 28, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 44.[12] However, Case did not pass an eye exam and was replaced by James Moontasri.[13][14]
Case eventually debuted against Kazuki Tokudome on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52.[15] Case won the fight via technical submission in the second round. The finish earned Case a Performance of the Night bonus.[16]
Case was linked to a bout with Paul Felder on January 18, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 59. However, Felder elected to fight as a replacement against Danny Castillo at UFC 182 and was briefly replaced by Francisco Treviño.[17] 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.[18] Case finished Perez via TKO in the third round.[19]
Case faced Francisco Treviño on June 13, 2015, at UFC 188.[20] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[21]
As the first bout of his new five-fight contract, Case faced Yan Cabral on November 7, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 77.[22][23] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[24]
Case faced Jake Matthews on March 20, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 85.[25] Case lost the fight via submission in the third round.[26] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night.[27]
Case was scheduled to face James Vick on February 4, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 104.[28] However, on January 19, Case pulled out of the fight with an injury and was replaced by Abel Trujillo.[29]
Case faced Anthony Rocco Martin on June 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 112.[30] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[31] It was later announced that Case was released from the UFC.[32]
Racking two victories in the regional circuit, Case signed with the Professional Fighters League to participate as an alternate on short notice against Jason High at PFL 7 on August 30, 2018.[33] However, High was not unable to make weight and Case was awarded a walkover victory with which he advanced to the playoffs.[34]
In the playoffs Case was pitted against Natan Schulte at PFL 9 on October 13, 2018.[35] The bout ended in a majority draw, but Schulte advanced to the semi-finals and Case was eliminated from the tournament.[36]
As the first bout of his four-fight contract, Case faced Yusuke Yachi at Rizin 14 on December 31, 2018.[37][38] He won the fight via TKO due to a cut in the second round.[39]
Case then faced Satoru Kitaoka at Rizin 17 on July 28, 2019.[40] He won the bout via technical knockout after the initial round.[41]
After the Kitaoka bout it was announced that Case would be participating the Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix.[42] In the quarterfinals at Rizin 19 on October 12, 2019, Case faced Roberto de Souza.[43] Case won the fight via first round knockout, advancing to the semifinals.[44]
In the semifinals which were at Rizin 20 on December 31, 2019, Case faced Tofiq Musayev.[45] After the back-and-forth fight, Case lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[46]
In January 2020 it was announced that Case will be returning to the PFL and participating the third season's lightweight division tournament.[47]
Case was expected to face Loik Radzhabov on April 23, 2021, at PFL 1.[48] However, due to an arrest, Case had to pull out and was replaced by Alexander Martinez.[49]
Case challenged for the Rizin Lightweight Championship against reigning champion Roberto de Souza at Rizin 35 on April 16, 2022.[50] He lost the bout in the first round via reverse triangle armbar.[51]
Case then faced Koji Taked at Rizin 37 on July 31, 2022. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[52]
Case was then scheduled to face Luiz Gustavo at Rizin 40 on December 31, 2022.[53] However, Gustavo was removed from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Nobumitsu Osawa.[54] Case won the fight by first-round knockout 36 seconds into the bout.[55]
Case was scheduled to face Ali Abdulkhalikov at Rizin Landmark 5 on April 29, 2023.[56] However, due to undisclosed reasons, Case was removed from the bout and was replaced by Tatsyua Saika.
Case next fought Japanese Kickboxer Noah Bey at Rizin 47 on June 9, 2024.[57] Case missed weight coming at 158.7 pounds for this Lightweight bout and received a point deduction should this fight go to the distance. Case would go on to lose the bout via unanimous decision in a fight he would've won without the point deduction.[58]
Case has two sons – Kruz and Kuper – from a previous relationship.[59][4]
On April 1, 2021, Case was arrested for domestic battery charges in Las Vegas, Nevada.[60] 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.[61]
| 39 matches | 28 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 20 | 4 |
| By submission | 4 | 3 |
| By decision | 4 | 3 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC | 28–10–1 (1) | Juri Ohara | NC (missed weight) | Rizin World Series in Korea | May 31, 2025 | 1 | 2:20 | Incheon, South Korea | Catchweight (157.2 lb) bout; Case missed weight. Originally ruled a KO (punch) win for Case; overturned by promoter due to him missing weight. |
| Loss | 28–10–1 | BeyNoah | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 47 | June 9, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Catchweight (158.7 lb) bout; Case missed weight. |
| Win | 28–9–1 | Nobumitsu Osawa | TKO (punches) | Rizin 40 | December 31, 2022 | 1 | 0:36 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 27–9–1 | Koji Takeda | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 37 | July 31, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Catchweight (159 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 27–8–1 | Roberto de Souza | Submission (reverse triangle armbar) | Rizin 35 | April 17, 2022 | 1 | 3:32 | Chōfu, Japan | For the Rizin Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 27–7–1 | Tofiq Musayev | TKO (punches) | Rizin 20 | December 31, 2019 | 1 | 2:46 | Saitama, Japan | 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 27–6–1 | Roberto de Souza | TKO (submission to punch) | Rizin 19 | October 12, 2019 | 1 | 1:15 | Osaka, Japan | 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 26–6–1 | Satoru Kitaoka | TKO (corner stoppage) | Rizin 17 | July 28, 2019 | 1 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 25–6–1 | Yusuke Yachi | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Rizin 14 | December 31, 2018 | 2 | 4:47 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Draw | 24–6–1 | Natan Schulte | Draw (majority) | PFL 9 (2018) | October 13, 2018 | 2 | 5:00 | Long Beach, California, United States | 2018 PFL Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 24–6 | Jose Luis Verdugo | TKO (punches) | Iron Boy MMA 12 | July 28, 2018 | 1 | 0:36 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 23–6 | Brandon Longano | TKO (punches) | Extreme Beatdown 21 | March 10, 2018 | 2 | 3:25 | New Town, North Dakota, United States | |
| Loss | 22–6 | Anthony Rocco Martin | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee | June 25, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 22–5 | Jake Matthews | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir | March 20, 2016 | 3 | 4:45 | Brisbane, Australia | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 22–4 | Yan Cabral | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3 | November 7, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 21–4 | Francisco Treviño | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 188 | June 13, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 20–4 | Frankie Perez | TKO (elbows and punches) | UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver | January 18, 2015 | 3 | 1:54 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | |
| Win | 19–4 | Kazuki Tokudome | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson | September 20, 2014 | 2 | 2:34 | Saitama, Japan | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 18–4 | E.J. Brooks | Decision (split) | RFA 10 | October 25, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 17–4 | Ted Worthington | TKO (submission to punches) | MCC 49 | August 2, 2013 | 2 | 2:47 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | Defended the MCC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–4 | Demi Deeds | TKO (punches) | MCC 46 | February 22, 2013 | 2 | 4:12 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | Defended the MCC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–4 | Sean Wilson | TKO (submission to punches) | MCC 44 | November 21, 2012 | 1 | 4:07 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | Defended the MCC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–4 | Jay Ellis | KO (punch) | Brutaal: Fight Night | February 18, 2012 | 1 | 2:30 | Red Wing, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 13–4 | Derek Getzel | Decision (unanimous) | Brutaal: Fight Night | July 30, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Red Wing, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 12–4 | Lonnie Scriven | KO (punch) | MCC 33 | April 9, 2011 | 1 | 0:18 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | Won the MCC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–4 | Jeremy Castro | TKO (punches) | MCC 31 | January 15, 2011 | 2 | 0:29 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4 | Rick Glenn | TKO (submission to punches) | MCC 29 | October 22, 2010 | 1 | 4:07 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Tyler Mills | KO (punches) | Brutaal: Fight Night | August 27, 2010 | 1 | 0:31 | Jefferson, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 9–3 | Mike Miller | Submission (rear-naked choke) | MCC 26 | April 16, 2010 | 1 | 1:02 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3 | Derek Getzel | TKO (punches) | Brutaal: Strikeforce Final | February 26, 2010 | 1 | 2:05 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 8–2 | James Winters | KO (punches) | Iowa Insanity 1 | December 20, 2009 | 1 | 0:52 | Boone, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Brandon Bergeron | TKO (punches) | Brutaal Fight Night: It's War | November 25, 2009 | 1 | 1:18 | St. Paul, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 6–2 | Gabe Walbridge | Submission (guillotine choke) | Ambition Promotions: The Crucible | September 12, 2009 | 2 | 0:29 | St. Paul, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 5–2 | Roland Larson | KO (punch) | Brutaal Fight Night: David and Goliath | April 11, 2009 | 1 | 0:59 | Ames, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 4–2 | Nate Boebel | KO (punches) | Brutaal Fight Night 26 | February 21, 2009 | 1 | 0:51 | LaCrosse, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | Travis Nath | Submission (choke) | Brutaal Fight Night 24 | December 13, 2008 | 1 | 1:03 | Maplewood, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 2–2 | Tim Morris | TKO (punches) | Brutaal Fight Night 16 | July 12, 2008 | 1 | 2:50 | Jefferson, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 1–2 | Jerald Steer | KO (punch) | Brutaal Fight Night 14 | June 13, 2008 | 1 | 0:48 | Elko, Minnesota, United States | |
| Loss | 0–2 | Marcus LeVesseur | KO (punch) | Seconds Out/Vivid MMA | May 17, 2008 | 1 | 0:23 | St. Paul, Minnesota, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Chad Murphy | Submission (armbar) | Brutaal Fight Night 3 | December 5, 2007 | 1 | N/A | Maplewood, Minnesota, United States | Lightweight debut. |
| 4 fights | 4 wins | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 4 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Win | 4–0 |  Antwaun Darnell Gross
|
KO | 1 (4), 0:32 | 12 November 2022 | Wild rose Casino, Jefferson, Iowa, US
|
|
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Thomas Allen
|
KO | 2 (4), 0:50 | 19 February 2022 | Horizon Events Center, Clive, Iowa, US
|
|
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Joseph Borys
|
KO | 1 (4), 2:58 | 30 October 2021 | Wild Rose Casino, Jefferson, Iowa, US
|
|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Jamarius Brown
|
KO | 2 (4), 1:10 | 17 July 2021 | Wild Rose Casino, Jefferson, Iowa, US
|
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,[62] 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,[63] with his Venture Capital firm. Hollywood established his firm in 2015 and started to pick up steam in 2016.
