Lavar Johnson

Lavar Johnson
Born	(1977-06-11) June 11, 1977 (age 47) Madera, California, United States
Other names	Big
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	253 lb (115 kg; 18 st 1 lb)
Division	Heavyweight
Reach	81 in (206 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Fresno, California, United States
Team	JL3 Elite [1] AKA
Years active	2004–2006, 2008–2014 (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total	28
Wins	18
By knockout	17
By submission	1
Losses	10
By knockout	2
By submission	7
By decision	1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Lavar F. Johnson ^[2] (born June 11, 1977) is an American bare-knuckle boxer and former Heavyweight mixed martial artist. A professional from 2004 until 2014, he competed for the UFC, the WEC, Strikeforce and Bellator MMA. ^[3]

Background

Johnson is from Madera, California and was a star football player, attending Madera High School where a coach nicknamed Johnson "Black Superman."^{[ citation needed ]} Johnson then continued his career excelling as an outside linebacker and strong safety at Merced College before playing at the semi-professional level. Johnson competed in Toughman Contests and dominated, leading him to transition into professional mixed martial arts. ^{[4] [5]}

Mixed martial arts career

World Extreme Cagefighting

Johnson made his professional mixed martial arts debut in the WEC on January 16, 2004, losing to future WEC Light Heavyweight Champion Doug Marshall via TKO (corner stoppage). The bout was somewhat marred by controversy as Johnson was on the receiving end of four low blows over the course of the bout, which was eventually stopped due to exhaustion on his part. Johnson had entered the bout without any training or preparation beyond hitting a heavy bag. ^[6] He next defeated Levi Thornbrue via TKO (punches). He knocked out Fred Diaz with punches at WEC 11: Evolution. Johnson then fought twice outside of WEC, winning both bouts via first round stoppage. He returned to face Corey Salter at WEC 17: Halloween Fury 4, making him submit to strikes in the first round. In Johnson's final WEC fight, he lost to the final WEC Heavyweight Champion Brian Olsen via submission due to a knee injury.

After the loss to Olsen, and because of the knee injury sustained during that loss, Johnson briefly left mixed martial arts to become a delivery driver for Budweiser. Johnson claimed that the cost of his medical expenses, coupled with his inability to train and fight, because of his injury, necessitated that he go get a "real" job. He returned to fighting after a two-and a-half year layoff, with a submission loss to Alijah Reni. ^[7]

He went on to defeat his next four opponents via first round stoppage, before being signed by Strikeforce.

Strikeforce

Johnson made his Strikeforce debut against Carl Seumanutafa at Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina, knocking him out with a punch 18 seconds into the first round. Johnson knocked out Seumanutafa with an uppercut while Seumanutafa was going for a takedown.

Johnson was shot on July 4, 2009, while at a family reunion. Johnson was rumored to return to action at Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi, facing Lolohea Mahe. The match was instead moved to Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe, as the main event. Johnson won by TKO due to punches in the second round.

He next faced current Bellator fighter Virgil Zwicker at Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker, ^[8] knocking him out with punches in the first round.

Johnson fought in a Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament alternate match, submitting to Shane Del Rosario's armbar in the first round.

Johnson's next fight came against former Louisiana State University football player, Shawn Jordan at Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough. Johnson lost via submission to an Americana in the second round. Afterwards, he took time off to heal injuries to his right elbow and left knee. ^[9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Johnson made his UFC debut on January 28, 2012, defeating Joey Beltran via first-round KO at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis. ^[10] This earned him the Knockout of the Night bonus award.

Johnson returned just over three months later for his second UFC fight, defeating fan-favorite Pat Barry via first-round TKO at UFC on Fox 3. ^[11] For this, he was awarded his second consecutive Knockout of the Night bonus.

Johnson replaced an injured Mark Hunt on ten days' notice ^[12] and was defeated by Stefan Struve on the main card of UFC 146 via submission due to an armbar in the first round.

Johnson was expected to face Brendan Schaub on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5. ^[13] However, Johnson was forced out of the bout with a groin injury and Schaub was pulled from the card altogether. ^[14]

Johnson/Schaub eventually took place on February 23, 2013, at UFC 157. ^[15] Johnson lost the fight via unanimous decision. Johnson was subsequently released from the organization after a post fight drug screening revealed elevated levels of testosterone. His fighting license was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission till November 23, 2013. Johnson admitted he was undergoing testosterone replacement therapy and had not disclosed this on his pre-fight medical questionnaire. ^[16]

Bellator MMA

Following his release from the UFC, Johnson signed with Bellator MMA. He debuted on October 4, 2013, in the heavyweight tournament against Vinicius Queiroz at Bellator 102. In a surprising upset, Johnson was stopped by one punch just 23 seconds into the fight, marking the first time he had been knocked out in his career.

Johnson returned to the Bellator cage in March 2014 as a participant in the Bellator Season Ten Heavyweight Tournament. He faced Ryan Martinez in the opening round at Bellator 111 on March 7, 2014. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. Johnson faced Blagoy Ivanov in the semifinals at Bellator 116 on April 11, 2014. He lost the back-and-forth bout via submission in the first round.

Johnson faced Cheick Kongo on September 5, 2014, at Bellator 123. ^[17] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Bare-knuckle boxing

On September 21, 2019, Johnson returned to professional fighting via bare-knuckle boxing, defeating former UFC and Ultimate Fighter veteran James McSweeney via first-round TKO at Valor Bare Knuckle 1.

Johnson was scheduled to face Rashad Coulter followed by Bobby Brents on November 23, 2024 at BKFC Fight Night: Los Angeles. ^[18] However, both Coulter and Brents withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Anthony Garrett. Johnson lost by knockout 12 seconds into the first round. ^[19]

Personal life

Johnson has two sons.

Legal issues

In 2007, Johnson was sentenced to 14 days of jail and three years of probation as well as ordered to undergo alcohol counselling after pleading not guilty to a misdemeanor charges of corporal injury on a spouse/co-habitant. He was then jailed for 30 days for criminal threats and disobeying a domestic relations court order.

On July 5, 2008, at approximately midnight, Johnson was shot (along with four others, one fatally) at a family reunion in Bakersfield, California. ^[20] According to reports released by the Bakersfield Police Department, a male in his late teens approached Johnson and the other victims as they were gathering in the front yard during a family reunion/Independence Day celebration and opened fire on the crowd at random, shooting five people. Johnson was shot in the hip, the forearm, and the third bullet fired at him hit his abdomen, which was the most serious injury. Johnson's American Kickboxing Academy trainer, Bob Cook, told Sherdog.com shortly afterwards that Johnson was between serious and critical condition. Cook stated he believed Johnson had been struck twice, once in the abdomen and once in the chest. His appendix was removed and he could not eat or drink for a month after the surgery which sewed his stomach closed. In August 2008, Johnson was released from hospital, and was said to be doing well and hoping to return to training as soon as possible. A fifteen-year-old girl was later arrested in connection to the shooting. Johnson has a scar up and down his torso as a result of the surgery and his cousin, Anthony, who was from Jacksonville, Texas was the casualty. ^{[21] [22]}

On August 25, 2015, Johnson was arrested in Fresno, California and charged with corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant, assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, dissuading a witness from reporting a crime and dissuading a witness by force. He had allegedly repeatedly punched, kneed and slammed his girlfriend on August 11, before fleeing the scene. He was in Fresno County Jail with bail set at $175,000. He pled not guilty to all charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years and eight months in prison. ^[23] On April 29, 2016, Johnson was sentenced to five years in prison for the August 2015 assault. ^[24]

Championships and accomplishments

• War Gods MMA
  • War Gods Heavyweight Championship (One time)
• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Knockout Of The Night (Two times)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

28 matches	18 wins	10 losses
By knockout	17	2
By submission	1	7
By decision	0	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	18–10	Cheick Kongo	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Bellator 123	September 5, 2014	1	3:27	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss	18–9	Blagoy Ivanov	Submission (americana)	Bellator 116	April 11, 2014	1	4:08	Temecula, California, United States	Bellator Season Ten Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal
Win	18–8	Ryan Martinez	TKO (punches)	Bellator 111	March 7, 2014	1	4:22	Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States	Bellator Season Ten Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal
Loss	17–8	Vinicius Queiroz	KO (punch)	Bellator 102	October 4, 2013	1	0:23	Visalia, California, United States
Loss	17–7	Brendan Schaub	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 157	February 23, 2013	3	5:00	Anaheim, California, United States	Tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone.
Loss	17–6	Stefan Struve	Submission (armbar)	UFC 146	May 26, 2012	1	1:05	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	17–5	Pat Barry	TKO (punches)	UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller	May 5, 2012	1	4:38	East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States	Knockout of the Night.
Win	16–5	Joey Beltran	KO (punches)	UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis	January 28, 2012	1	4:24	Chicago, Illinois, United States	Knockout of the Night.
Loss	15–5	Shawn Jordan	Submission (americana)	Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough	September 23, 2011	2	3:08	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	15–4	Shane del Rosario	Submission (armbar)	Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva	February 12, 2011	1	4:31	East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States	Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout.
Win	15–3	Virgil Zwicker	KO (punches)	Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker	October 22, 2010	1	2:17	Fresno, California, United States
Win	14–3	Lolohea Mahe	TKO (punches)	Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe	March 26, 2010	2	3:29	Fresno, California, United States
Win	13–3	Carl Seumanutafa	KO (punch)	Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina	May 15, 2009	1	0:18	Fresno, California, United States
Win	12–3	Dave Huckaba	TKO (corner stoppage)	PFC 12: High Stakes	January 22, 2009	1	3:00	Lemoore, California, United States	Huckaba refused to answer bell for second round.
Win	11–3	Sean Souza	KO (punch)	War Gods: Do or Die	November 8, 2008	1	2:51	Fresno, California, United States	Won War Gods Heavyweight Championship.
Win	10–3	Vince Lucero	KO (punch)	PFC 10: Explosive	September 26, 2008	1	1:16	Lemoore, California, United States
Win	9–3	Sal Farnetti	TKO (punches)	PFC: Bias vs. Blood	August 21, 2008	1	2:14	Lemoore, California, United States
Loss	8–3	Alijah Reni	Submission (rear-naked choke)	War Gods	July 26, 2008	1	1:31	Fresno, California, United States
Loss	8–2	Brian Olsen	Submission (knee injury)	WEC 18	January 13, 2006	2	0:14	Lemoore, California, United States	For the vacant WEC Heavyweight Championship.
Win	8–1	Corey Salter	TKO (submission to strikes)	WEC 17	October 14, 2005	1	3:37	Lemoore, California, United States
Win	7–1	Todd Gouwenberg	TKO (punches)	Freedom Fight: Canada vs USA	July 9, 2005	3	2:53	Hull, Quebec, Canada
Win	6–1	Carlos Garcia	TKO (punches)	WEC 15	May 19, 2005	1	1:09	Lemoore, California, United States
Win	5–1	Lace Pele	TKO (punches)	GC 33: Brutal Force	December 12, 2004	1	0:54	Porterville, California, United States
Win	4–1	Terry Pettek	Submission (guillotine choke)	Venom: First Strike	September 18, 2004	1	0:21	Huntington Beach, California, United States
Win	3–1	Fred Diaz	KO (punches)	WEC 11	August 20, 2004	1	1:33	Lemoore, California, United States
Win	2–1	Kyle Keeney	KO (punches)	Lords of the Cage	June 5, 2004	1	1:36	Anacortes, Washington, United States
Win	1–1	Levi Thornbrue	TKO (punches)	WEC 10	May 21, 2004	1	2:32	Lemoore, California, United States
Loss	0–1	Doug Marshall	TKO (corner stoppage)	WEC 9	January 16, 2004	1	5:00	Lemoore, California, United States	Stoppage due to exhaustion.

Bare-knuckle boxing

Professional record breakdown

3 matches	2 wins	1 loss
By knockout	2	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	2–1	Anthony Garrett	KO (punch)	BKFC: Los Angeles	November 23, 2024	1	0:12	Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	2–0	Travis Wiuff	KO (punch)	Valor Bare Knuckle 2	October 27, 2023	1	1:21	Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win	1–0	James McSweeney	KO (punch)	Valor Bare Knuckle 1	September 21, 2019	1	0:27	New Town, North Dakota, United States

References

1. "Lavar Johnson ("Big") | MMA Fighter Page".
2. http://boxing.nv.gov/2012%20Results%20Web/05-26-12%20MMA.pdf%5B‍%5D
3. "Strikeforce HW Lavar Johnson Putting Near-Fatal Shooting in Past". Bleacher Report . Retrieved 21 October 2010.
4. "Lavar Johnson - What You See is What You Get - MMAfightfans.com | MMAfightfans.com". Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
5. "Death, Taxes, and Lavar Johnson | UFC". 14 September 2018.
6. Mike Padilla and Daniel Gil. "The Return of The Black Superman - Lavar Johnson". Bloody Mayhem. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
7. Joe Rizzo (September 23, 2011). "Strikeforce Challengers 19: Look out for Lavar Johnson, the Bud Man". mmadiehards.com.
8. "Strikeforce HW Lavar Johnson Putting Near-Fatal Shooting in Past". Bleacher Report . Retrieved 21 October 2010.
9. "Lavar Johnson out 6 months possibly". mmajunkie. September 26, 2011. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011.
10. "Strikeforce import Lavar Johnson meets Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2". mmajunkie.com. December 20, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
11. "Pat Barry vs Lavar Johnson fight booked for May 5". mmamania.com. February 2, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
12. "Mark Hunt Out of UFC 146; Lavar Johnson Now Meets Stefan Struve." mmafighting.com. May 17, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
13. "UFC on FOX 5 adds Johnson-Schaub". mmajunkie.com. August 27, 2012. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013.
14. Staff (2012-11-30). "Pulled groin forces Lavar Johnson out of UFC on FOX 5 bout with Brendan Schaub". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
15. "Brendan Schaub vs. Lavar Johnson now targeted for UFC 157". MMAjunkie.com. December 10, 2012. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
16. Steven Marrocco (March 21, 2013). "UFC cuts Lavar Johnson following failed drug test, UFC 157 loss". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2013.
17. "Bellator 123 Fight Card". Bellator.com. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
18. "BKFC FIGHT NIGHT LOS ANGELES". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
19. Alexander Behunin (2024-11-24). "Highlights! BKFC fighter destroys former 'Big' UFC Heavyweight in 12 seconds, breaking his own record". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
20. "Lavar Johnson shot at family reunion in Bakersfield, California" . Retrieved 21 October 2010.
21. "Juvenille girl incarcerated in connection with Lavar Johnson shooting" . Retrieved 21 October 2009.
22. "Lavar Johnson Recovering From Shooting; 15-Year-Old Girl Arrested" . Retrieved 21 October 2009.
23. "UFC-Bellator vet Lavar Johnson in jail after alleged brutal assault of girlfriend", from MMAJunkie.com
24. "Madera MMA fighter sentenced in domestic abuse case", by Sontaya Rose, ABC30.com

External links

• Professional MMA record for Lavar Johnson from Sherdog
• Lavar Johnson at UFC