Brian Johnston (fighter)

{{Short description|American mixed martial artist, wrestler}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}

{{multiple issues|

{{BLP sources|date=August 2011}}

{{More footnotes needed|date=August 2011}}

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{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Brian Johnston

| other_names = Fury

| image =

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| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|07|28}}

| birth_place =

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| nationality = American

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=4}}

| weight = {{convert|242|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}

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| style = Judo, Boxing, Wrestling, Taekwondo, Kick Boxing, Submission Wrestling

| stance =

| fighting_out_of = San Jose, California

| team =

| rank = {{color box|black}} Black Belt in Judo

| years_active =

| mma_kowin = 1

| mma_subwin = 4

| mma_decwin =

| mma_koloss = 1

| mma_subloss = 5

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| sherdog = 137

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}}

{{Infobox professional wrestler

|name=Brian Johnston

|birth_name=Brian Johnston

|names=Brian Johnston

|height={{height|ft=6|in=4}}

|weight={{convert|246|lb|kg|abbr=on}}

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1969|07|28|mf=yes}}

|death_date =

|birth_place =

|billed=

|trainer=

|debut=1997

|retired=2001

|}}

Brian Johnston (born July 28, 1969) is an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler who competed throughout the mid 1990s, most notably in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. His effective mix of precision striking and ground fighting, as seen with other fighters such as Erik Paulson, Matt Hume, and Marco Ruas, would set the standard for what are now common traits in modern-day fighting styles. Johnston holds a black belt in Judo and was a former Golden Gloves champion with an undefeated amateur Kickboxing record of 12-0 as well as an experienced Wrestler.

He fought many MMA legends in their prime such as Don Frye, Mark Coleman and Ken Shamrock while competing in the UFC.

Brian suffered a massive stroke in August 2001 while in Japan prior to a fight, at 32 years of age and 3 weeks after his wedding.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Brian-Johnston-Where-Is-He-Now-56003|title=Brian Johnston: Where is He Now? - A Survivor's Tale}}

Initially trained by Brad Rheingans. He made his pro wrestling debut in 1997, losing to Naoya Ogawa at NJPW G1 Climax Special 1997.{{cite web| url = http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=40881| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032434/http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=40881| archive-date = 2016-03-04| title = NJPW G1 Climax Special 1997 - Tag 11 ~ Grapple Climax « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}}{{cite web| url = http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4542&page=4&s=100| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040031/http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4542&page=4&s=100| archive-date = 2016-03-04| title = Matches « Brian Johnston « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}} Throughout his whole career Johnston was used as a tag team wrestler, teaming with such names like Don Frye, Osamu Kido, Tadao Yasuda, Dave Beneteau, and Kazuyuki Fujita. He had a notable appearance at the 1999 G1 Tag League, teaming with Takashi Iizuka.{{cite web | url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/g1tag.html#1999 | title= G-1 Climax Tag Team League1999 | date= September 10–23, 1999 | accessdate= May 12, 2010 | publisher= ProWrestlingHistory.com | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202718/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/g1tag.html#1999 | archive-date= March 4, 2016 | url-status= dead }} After a massive stroke, he was forced to retire in 2001.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cagesideseats.com/2009/12/9/1193283/wrestling-and-head-trauma-more|title = Wrestling and head trauma: More than just Chris Benoit and Test|date = 9 December 2009}} Johnston would train several team mates to impressive MMA victories, over notables such as Mark Kerr, K-1 fighter Jan Nortje and MMA fighters Ryan Gracie and Ken Shamrock.