Heavyweight, Darion Abbey (7-4) vs. Donte Johnson (5-0)
Notable Notes
- Both these athletes are taking this fight on short notice
- Abbey is six inches taller (six-foot to six-foot-six)
- Johnson is undefeated at 205
- Abbey has been in the sport five years longer
- Johnson has a total amount of cage time of 11 minutes, 10 seconds, compared to the 54 minutes, 14 seconds of Abbey
- Abbey’s three losses come by finish
Darion Abbey
-Good jab
-Nice one-two
-Good clinch knees
-Poor cardio
-Weak chin
-Slows as the fight goes
-Lacks head movement
-Lacks movement
Abbey is your prototypical regional heavyweight, though to be fair, we see guys like him on the UFC roster as well. He’s got the size and experience to be competitive, with 23 total MMA fights (pro and amateur), a 2-0 record in bare-knuckle MMA, and a 3-2 mark in kickboxing. He’s currently riding a three-fight win streak, with two regional titles under his belt, including one that went five rounds. Honestly, he’s a bit better than I first expected.
Offensively, Abbey throws a sharp one-two and works behind an active jab. He uses his size well at range and can generate real power in close, especially with his knees. His wrestling is serviceable: he can get fights down and at least look for finishes from top position.
The problem is that Abbey hasn’t shown he can succeed at a higher level. His head movement is lacking, and when he lets his hands go, he often leaves himself open to counters. As fights progress, he becomes increasingly flat-footed and predictable.
That said, Abbey is tough, dangerous everywhere, capable of wrestling when needed, and durable enough to push deep into fights even when he’s slowing down. He’s a solid regional heavyweight, but realistically, he doesn’t project to have a future at the top levels of the sport.
Donte Johnson
-Athletic
-Heavy hands
-Good TDD
-Explosive
-Good movement
-Fast
-Can get overzealous
It might feel a bit early for Johnson, but with heavyweight MMA, is it ever really too soon? He’s unbeaten as a pro, and while most of his opposition has been soft, his recent win over James Ford showed he can compete at a higher level. Looking back at his amateur career, Johnson was far less disciplined, carrying extra weight, soft to the body, and clearly not in top shape. Now, fighting 40–60 pounds lighter, he’s taking the sport more seriously, and the improvement shows in his performances.
As a pro, Johnson hasn’t been tested much, and no glaring weaknesses have surfaced yet. If there’s one concern, it’s that his technique can slip under pressure. That said, he brings a rare set of tools to the heavier divisions. Johnson is athletic, quick, and fluid—qualities most heavyweights lack. His side-to-side movement, fast reactions, and twitchy style stand out immediately. Offensively, he has a quick jab, sharp leg kicks, and combinations that come in twos, all delivered with speed and snap.
Power and explosiveness are standard at heavyweight, but when you combine those traits with his speed and overall athleticism, Johnson becomes a very intriguing prospect. He may still be developing, but he has the foundation of someone who could make real noise in the division.
Prediction: Most of the attention is on Johnson, and rightfully so; he’s the unbeaten prospect with the higher ceiling. The concern for him is that this fight is at heavyweight. Johnson is better suited for 205, while Abbey is a legitimate big man at 6’6” with far more experience. Still, if Johnson is the prospect he’s projected to be, this is the kind of fight he has to win.
Johnson is the faster, more athletic fighter by a wide margin. Abbey, meanwhile, has a history of crumbling when he gets touched: every career loss has come by finish. He could lean on his size and experience to make things competitive, but at this stage, he’s more journeyman than threat. Johnson should be able to exploit Abbey’s slower, stationary style, force the pocket, and land the kill shot. Johnson by first-round KO.
