I started my professional fighting career in Grade 12, in Prince George, BC—a small northern town with limited resources and no elite coaching. I had training partners, but we were all figuring it out as we went. I had almost nothing but grit, passion, and a willingness to learn the hard way.

That raw beginning shaped everything that came next.

Knowing I needed more, I made it my mission to find the best martial artists in the country—and learn from them. I traveled thousands of miles, training with some of Canada’s most respected names:
Bill Mahood, Bibiano Fernandes, Tony Pep, Douglas Yeats, and eventually Firas Zahabi at Tristar in Montreal.

That journey eventually took me to the UFC, where I fought for 5 years and went toe-to-toe with some of the best in the world—including current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Even during my time in the UFC, I knew my fight career was only part of the bigger picture.

Building the Gym I Wish I Had:

In 2016, in the middle of my UFC run, I opened my first gym—Tristar Gym West Coast—right here in Burnaby, BC. The vision was simple and personal:

Build a space where people could access real coaching, world-class technique, and a no-ego training culture.

At first, I ran the gym while still competing in the UFC. I coached myself. I trained young, hungry fighters. And after my final UFC bouts in 2018, I stepped away from competition to go all in on building the community and coaching system I had always wished for.

Then in 2025, after 7 years in retirement, I came back—this time to the boxing ring—and won my return fight as a professional boxer.

I still train. I still compete. And I still coach every day.

From Tristar West to Kajan Johnson MMA:

As our programs and community grew, it was time for the brand to evolve.
Today, we’re proudly known as Kajan Johnson MMA—a name that reflects not just my history, but our mission:

Real Training. Friendly People. Real MMA.

We offer complete programs in:

– MMA
– Jiu Jitsu
– Boxing
– Kickboxing
– Muay Thai
– Teens MMA

And for kids, we’ve launched something unique—KaJanDo.

What is KaJanDo?

KaJanDo is a kids-only martial arts system I created to give young martial artists something I never had:
A structured, age-appropriate, belt-based path that blends real MMA technique with character development.

It’s split into two tracks:

– KaJanDo Kida (striking)
– KaJanDo Kumi (grappling)

Each class follows a consistent, engaging format that teaches kids discipline, respect, perseverance, and confidence—on and off the mats.

Why I Do This:

After a lifetime of trial, failure, learning, and evolving—I believe that martial arts is one of the most powerful tools for personal growth on the planet.

It’s my life’s mission to make elite-level training more accessible, to pass down what I’ve learned, and to help the next generation of martial artists avoid the mistakes I had to make to figure it all out.

Whether you’re an aspiring fighter, a total beginner, or a parent looking to give your child something meaningful… you belong here.

— Kajan Johnson