UFC's Second Scottish Twister
Charles Johnson Secures Historic Scottish Twister Submission at UFC 330, Defeating Chapolin
Key Points
Johnson earned a post-fight bonus for his Scottish twister submission at UFC 330.
The Scottish twister is a variation of the traditional twister that requires precise control of the opponent's waist and torso, and this marked only the second time the move has been used in UFC history—the first coming from Murtazali Magomedov at UFC Vegas 119 earlier this year.
Patchy 'Mix' taught Johnson the move, and Johnson says he hits it at least once or twice a week in practice.
Chapolin was making his Octagon debut in UFC 330, and Johnson spoiled it with the third‑round submission.
Charles Johnson pulled off one of the rarest moves in UFC history Saturday night, locking in a Scottish twister submission to beat Eduardo Chapolin at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. The finish came at 1:36 of round three, making Johnson only the second fighter ever to land the move inside the Octagon. Yahoo Sports reported that UFC 330 featured two championship bouts, but it was this early prelim finish that had fans talking.
Johnson improved to 20-9 with the win and earned a post-fight bonus for his efforts. Chapolin, who took the fight on short notice to replace Jose Ochoa, was making his Octagon debut at 130 pounds — and Johnson spoiled it in brutal fashion. Central Oregon Daily noted the win came in a 130-pound catchweight bout.
Second Scottish Twister Ever Thrown in UFC History
The Scottish twister is a rare variation of the traditional twister submission. It requires precise control of the opponent's waist and torso — and very few fighters even attempt it. According to Yahoo Sports, this was only the second Scottish twister in UFC history. The first came earlier this year from Murtazali Magomedov at UFC Vegas 119.
Johnson did not stumble into the move by accident. He said he hits the Scottish twister at least once or twice a week in practice. That makes it a polished weapon, not a lucky fluke. For Chapolin, it was a short-notice debut that went very wrong, very fast.
Patchy Mix Taught Johnson the Finishing Move
Johnson credited former Bellator champion Patrick "Patchy" Mix for teaching him the submission. Yahoo Sports reported that Johnson learned the Scottish twister from Mix and has been drilling it consistently ever since. Mix is a well-respected grappler, and Johnson clearly put the lessons to good use.
Johnson said the move is part of his regular training routine. He was not scrambling to remember the mechanics mid-fight. He knew exactly what to do when the opening appeared. That comfort level showed — the finish was clean and came quickly once he got the position.
A Rough Start for Chapolin Before the Submission
The fight was not one-sided from the beginning. Chapolin and Johnson traded back and forth through the early rounds. Chapolin even had a point deducted in round one for an illegal knee and an eye poke. Those early penalties may have added extra pressure on him heading into round three, where Johnson sealed the deal.
The Big Lead noted that UFC 330 was a high-profile card with two title fights on the bill. Johnson's finish in the early prelims gave the event a memorable moment right from the opening bouts. It was the kind of rare finish that clips go viral for.
Johnson Dedicates the Win to Late Flyweight Allan Nascimento
After the finish, Johnson took a moment to honor late flyweight Allan Nascimento. Central Oregon Daily reported that Johnson dedicated the victory to Nascimento in his post-fight comments. The gesture added emotional weight to an already remarkable performance inside the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Johnson continues to run hot and cold this year, with wins and losses alternating throughout 2025. But a post-fight bonus and a place in UFC history as one of only two Scottish twister finishers ever? That is a night no fighter forgets. Expect his name to carry more weight in the 130-pound division going forward.
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