From Africa, Sudan
to Seattle WA

Johnson "Black Lightning" Nasona was born in Khartoum, Sudan, before emigrating to the United States with his family at just four years old. Raised by a single immigrant mother whose tireless work ethic set the benchmark for his own, Nasona's childhood was defined by adaptation, resilience, and early athletic promise.

In 2009, a pivotal moment shaped Nasona's trajectory when his mother sent him to a boarding school in Uganda, alongside visits to family in Khartoum. Confronted by the daily realities and resource challenges in East Africa, the trip served as a profound "eye opener." Nasona credits this period with fostering an early maturity, a deep sense of gratitude, and a relentless perspective that would later fuel his competitive drive.

Nasona's athletic path began in middle school, where he went undefeated as a wrestler and discovered his natural affinity for combat sports. He later transitioned into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, training under Marcelo Alonso in Bellevue, Washington. His early competitive career was characterized by a dangerous ground game and positional dominance.

During this amateur rise, Nasona became the No. 1 ranked lightweight amateur on the entire West Coast, holding an impressive 20-3 record by early 2020. Among his standout amateur performances was a dominant unanimous decision victory at Sparta Combat League (SCL 68) against Kaecy Raddon in Denver, Colorado.

By 2021, Nasona's game had undergone a massive transformation. In their annual "Amateur MMA Roundup," national outlet Cageside Press selected Nasona as one of the top five amateur prospects to watch. The publication highlighted his evolution from a submission heavy grappler into an "ultra confident, relaxed striker" who had become "darn good on the feet," utilizing quick hands and explosive kicks.

After compiling an impressive 21-3 amateur record over a six year developmental period, Nasona made his transition to the professional ranks, competing under major national promotions like LFA and CFFC. He joined forces with coach Mark Reagor at 10Kicks Seattle, sharpening his style around surgical pressure, angle cutting, and high frequency output. Today, he also serves as a head coach and trainer at the gym, guiding the next generation of competitors.

Today, Nasona is riding a dominant four fight professional win streak, showcasing a clinical 75% finish rate between submissions and TKOs. Under the representation of One Speed Management, he is actively booking pro lightweight cards globally and is primed for short notice championship level opportunities.

Nasona's discipline extends far beyond the confines of the cage. As a versatile physical talent, he has established a prominent career as a professional fitness model, actor, and stunt performer. His athletic versatility and screen presence have led to roles in fight choreography and on camera modeling.

Additionally, Nasona is a music producer, channeling the same rhythmic timing and focus he uses in the cage into audio production. This combination of athletic dominance and artistic focus makes “Black Lightning” a unique force in and out of the MMA arena.