A ROCHESTER PRO Zachary Johnson

ZACHARY JOHNSON

Hi, my name is Zachary Johnson from Clifton Spring, New York and I am 35 years old and a Professional Fighter in MMA and Boxing . I went to Midlakes High school and graduated in 2004. My parents are Bill and Sue Johnson and I have a brother, Scott Johnson.

I was a three sport athlete in high school playing football, and indoor and outdoor track. After High School, I went on to Genessee Community College and studied Travel and Tourism and played Lacrosse for a year and half . I played Semipro football for 4 seasons for the Finger Lakes Impact, Oil City Rampage and Auburn Commanders. I have also played one s e a s o n o f Professional indoor football for Buffalo.

After football was over, I wanted to keep competing and a friend of mine, Darth Vadar said I think you should train to fight . He started to train me and he got me into MMA. I did a few events and loved the competition and wanted to keep doing it. for sports and love the competition to win and get better. I have used this competitive nature in my life, from education to work to be the best I can be each day and move up . I believe in life people don’t define who you are, only you can do that.

One day I got a message on Facebook from a match maker out of Virginia

asking me if I wanted to turn Pro in Boxing . I only fought MMA, never had any boxing matches . I made my Pro Boxing debut April 26th , 2017 in Virginia against Cornell “Hitman” Hines at the ABC complex . I lost to Cornell Hines after the referee stopped the match and Cornell went on to be signed by Golden Boy Promotions. summer in Massachusetts at the DCU Arena on short day notice . Adrian is a future world champion and I learned a lot about not taking a short notice fight because I was not ready or prepared enough and suffered my second loss with a KO. After that, I took 2 years off from fighting and had to go through many tests to get back into the ring. Meeting with my primary doctor and also a neurologist doctor just to name a few things. It was a long road to get back to fighting, but working with CES and the Massachusetts commission I was approved to come back and fight .

I would make my Pro MMA debut for CES in October of 2019. I made my debut and fought on CES on the UFC fight pass against Nate Ghareeb a Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer . Fighting under the bright lights and liveon TV where many fighters from this promotion go on to the UFC. My nerves and butterflies were there in the dressing room and even the walk from the back to the octagon. The fight ended in a stop due to Nate’s knee to my face split it open very badly and the doctor on site couldn’t stop the bleeding, nor seal the cut.

“Fighting under the bright lights was a honor and I’am very humbled by the experience of fighting on the big stage. ”

Fighting under the bright lights was a honor and I’am very humbled by the experience of fighting on the big stage. My last fight back in February for All Star Boxijg live on the Telemundo deportees TV was huge and a big fight . Again, it was under the bright lights and on the big stage. Plus, I was going into this match having a new coach and training gym.

I train at Future B o x i n g i n Rochester, NY and my coach i s D e r r i c k Gunter. Just working with him, my skills have improved so much from my first three professional boxing fights. I ’ m m o r e confident then I ever have been and my footwork has improved along with the speed in my hands.

I fought up and coming boxer Julio in Florida for an All Star Boxing Promotion and I lost that fight to him by KO. But, I was so aggressive in that fight and more confident then I ever have been. My new skills and overall improvement really showed this time. People who have followed my pro fighting career saw that in my last fight and the comments and words of encouragement from people were great.

I am getting ready for my 5th Professional Boxing fight this month on August 22nd in Alabama for One One Six promotion, I will fight my toughest opponent yet in Noe Lopez.

He is a fighter who is 9-2-1 and with me being 0-4 there are many doubts . All the hard work and training getting ready for this fight I can assure fans we will come away from this fight with a win and shock the world . I know I can pull the upset and prove hard work truly pays off .

In life, and especially competitive sports, you have to deal with the negativity that comes with it and the people’s opinions and comments saying your not good enough. Some say I should quit, but I have to zone that out along with the trash talking and do what makes me happy and stay humble and blessed.

Im also signed under 636 management which is owned b y C r a i g Spazman from Shortsville, NY. He also has a radio station in the morning a n d o t h e r sports events on Chosen Spot radio . When I’m not boxing I work Full time at Powe r a n d Construction Group in the street lighting division and enjoy hanging out with friends and going to concerts and and of course sporting events. I’m a big Philadelphia Eagles fan and Boston Red Sox fan. I also enjoy dirt track racing and nascar and going to galas and functions for a great cause and giving back to the youth .