Lavar Johnson
| Lavar Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 11, 1977 Madera, California, United States |
| Other names | Big |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 252 lb (114 kg; 18 st 0 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight (265 lb) |
| Reach | 81 in (206 cm) |
| Style | Freestyle, Muay Thai |
| Fighting out of | Madera, California |
| Team | American Kickboxing Academy, Pro Buhawe |
| Years active | 2004 - present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 21 |
| Wins | 16 |
| By knockout | 14 |
| By submission | 2 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Lavar Johnson (born June 11, 1977) is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a heavyweight. None of his career fights have ever gone to a decision. He currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Mixed martial arts career
World Extreme Cagefighting
Johnson made his MMA debut in the WEC promotion against Doug Marshall losing via TKO (corner stoppage). He then went on to defeat Levi Thornbrue via TKO (punches). Johnson then fought Fred Diaz at WEC 11: Evolution defeating him via KO (punches). Johson then fought twice outside of the WEC winning both bouts via first round stoppage. Johnson then returned to face Corey Salter at WEC 17: Halloween Fury 4 defeating him via submission (strikes) in the first round. In Johnson's final WEC appearance he lost to Brian Olsen via submission (knee injury).
Strikeforce
After leaving the WEC promotion Johnson faced Alijah Reni and lost via submission.
Johnson then went on to defeat his next four opponents via first round stoppages before being signed by Strikeforce.
Johnson made his Strikeforce debut against Carl Seumanutafa at Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina winning via KO (punch) just 18 seconds into the first round.
Johnson was shot in July 2009, but recovered. He was first rumored to be returning to action at Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi, where he would face off against Lolohea Mahe. The two would face off, but it was scheduled for Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe, as the main event. Johnson went on to win the fight by TKO (Punches) in the second round.
He next faced Virgil Zwicker at Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker.[1] He won the fight via KO (punches) in the first round.
Johnson fought in an alternate match for Strikeforce's Heavyweight tournament. He fought and lost to Shane Del Rosario via submission (armbar) in the first round.
Johnson's next fight came against Shawn Jordan at Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough. Johnson lost the fight via submission (keylock) in the second round and is out up to 6 months with right-elbow and left-knee injuries.[2]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
With the upcoming dissolution of the Strikeforce Heavyweight division, Johnson was the first announced heavyweight fighter to make the transition to the UFC. He faced Joey Beltran on January 28, 2012 at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis.[3] Johnson was successful in his UFC debut, winning the fight via brutal KO in the first round.
Personal life
On July 4, 2009 Lavar Johnson was shot along with four others at a family reunion during the midnight hours of the Fourth of July.[4]
According to reports released by the Bakersfield Police Department, a black 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 striking a total of five people.
Johnson was reported to have been struck in the abdomen according to the police report.
Johnson’s trainer, Bob Cook from American Kickboxing Academy, told Sherdog.com that Lavar was between serious and critical condition. He also goes on to state that he believes that Johnson had been struck twice, once in the abdomen and once in the chest.
A fifteen year old girl was later arrested in connection to the crime.[5][6]
In August 2009 it was announced that Johnson had been released from the hospital and was doing well and was hoping to get back to training as soon as possible.
Johnson was a standout linebacker at Madera High and Merced College.[citation needed]
Mixed martial arts record
| 21 matches | 16 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 14 | 1 |
| By submission | 2 | 4 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 16–5 | Joey Beltran | KO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis | January 28, 2012 | 1 | 4:24 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | UFC debut; Knockout of the Night. |
| Loss | 15–5 | Shawn Jordan | Submission (keylock) | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Win | 11–3 | Sean Souza | KO (punch) | War Gods: Do or Die | November 8, 2008 | 1 | 2:51 | Fresno, California, United States | |
| 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 | |
| Win | 8–1 | Corey Salter | Submission (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 | 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 | N/A | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Kyle Kenny | KO | 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 |
See also
References
- ^ "Strikeforce HW Lavar Johnson Putting Near-Fatal Shooting in Past". Retrieved 21 October 2010.
- ^ "Lavar Johnson out 6 months possibly". mmajunkie. September 26, 2011.
- ^ "Strikeforce import Lavar Johnson meets Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2". mmajunkie.com. December 20, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
- ^ "Lavar Johnson shot at family reunion in Bakersfield, California". Retrieved 21 October 2010.
- ^ "Juvenille girl incarcerated in connection with Lavar Johnson shooting". Retrieved 21 October 2010.
- ^ "Lavar Johnson Recovering From Shooting; 15-Year-Old Girl Arrested". Retrieved 21 October 2010.