Lavar Johnson

Lavar F. Johnson (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.

Johnson is from Madera, California and was a star football player, attending Madera High School where a coach nicknamed Johnson "Black Superman."

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.

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.

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.

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

Johnson made his UFC debut on January 28, 2012, defeating Joey Beltran via first-round KO at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis.

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.

For this, he was awarded his second consecutive Knockout of the Night bonus.

Johnson replaced an injured Mark Hunt on ten days' notice 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.

However, Johnson was forced out of the bout with a groin injury and Schaub was pulled from the card altogether.

Johnson/Schaub eventually took place on February 23, 2013, at UFC 157.

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.