RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: Referee Blake Grice polls Donte Johnson off Eric McConico in a middleweight fight during the UFC 330 event at Xfinity Mobile Arena on August 15, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Donte Johnson stayed undefeated at UFC 330 and has his sights set on not one, not two, but three UFC titles.
That kind of hyperbole might seem unwise at this early stage of Johnson’s career, but he was understandably on a high after dropping Eric McConico with an explosive left hand that put McConico down for the count in a little over 90 seconds.
Watch Johnson’s big knockout below.
DONTE JOHNSON FLATLINES ERIC MCCONICO 📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/gfLFLwfW8N
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 15, 2026
Johnson entered Saturday’s contest as a sizable favorite and he didn’t disappoint, working through dangerous exchanges with McConico to eventually land a devastating punch that pierced right through McConico’s defenses. McConico hit the mat hard and Johnson followed up with another heavy left on the ground that left no doubt the fight was over.
The official time of the stoppage was 1:38 into Round 1.
Afterwards, Johnson apologized for accidentally clipping referee Blake Grice with an elbow during the chaotic finishing sequence and then declared his intentions to drop to 170 pounds and win a UFC title, and then do the same back at middleweight, and eventually become a three-division champion at light heavyweight.
Johnson (9-0) actually earned a UFC contract with a win at heavyweight on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2025. He is now 3-0 inside the octagon.
McConico (11-4-1) suffered his third knockout loss in five UFC appearances.
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