Danilo Marques’s combat sports journey began when he was 10, starting with taekwondo before eventually picking up boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Marques is a former state champion in the latter two disciplines, a former national jiu-jitsu champion and a former world champion in submission wrestling. Marques, who is a veteran of multiple promotions and is a former regional middleweight champion, is 3-1 in the PFL thus far. After a submission of Ras Hylton during last year’s Challenger Series, he defeated Yorgan De Castro and lost to Marcelo Nunes in the regular season before a Showcase bout win over Satoshi Ishi.

 

Tim Johnson made his professional MMA debut in 2010 after becoming a two-time Division II All-American in college. Johnson became a regional MMA heavyweight champion before signing with Bellator in 2018. He went 4-5 in the promotion, losing three straight in a skid that started with an interim title loss to Valentin Moldavsky in the main event of Bellator 261. Johnson enters this fight off back-to-back wins, however, defeating Said Sowma at Bellator 294 before a first-round finish of Darion Abbey in April.

 

With neither man competing during the first portion of the season in April, both will need a finish in the first or second round for any shot at making the heavyweight playoffs.

 

 

Round 1

 

Johnson goes right after the body. Round kick by Marques. Johnson tries to go after Marques, but Marques backs up. Marques with a high kick. Small flurry from Johnson, pressing forward. Combination lands partially for Johnson. Right counter hook lands for Marques, and Johnson presses him into the SmartCage. Johnson with a couple of knees. Knee to the body by Marques. Johnson lands a few left hands. Right hand by Johnson. Johnson lands an overhand left that drops Marques! But simultaneously, Marques lands a front kick that hits Johnson in the groin! Both men go down, but Marques quickly stands up and thinks he’s won! Time is out right now.

 

 

After taking nearly all of the five minutes for the break, Johnson elects to go on. Marques will NOT be deducted one point.

 

Johnson flashing the right hand on the fight resuming. Low kick from Johnson. Another low kick. Round kick lands low for Marques. Right hand by Johnson drops Marques! Johnson landing some brutal left hands! Marques gets back to his feet, but he continues to fire away! Marques goes down again, trying to tie Johnson up. It’s no use, however, and the referee steps in!

 

 

Johnson takes a late-notice fight and gets a quick six! And he’s got a chance at getting a postseason spot!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Tim Johnson defeats Danilo Marques by 1st round TKO (3:14) in the PFL Heavyweight Division.

  • Johnson stays alive in the playoff race
  • Marques is eliminated
  • Johnson moves his career record to 18-9 with his 10th career knockout