Lavar F. Johnson[2] (born June 11, 1977) is an American bare-knuckle boxer and former Heavyweight mixed martial artist.
"[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.
He returned to face Corey Salter at WEC 17: Halloween Fury 4, making him submit to strikes in the first round.
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 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 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 subsequently released from the organization after a post fight drug screening revealed elevated levels of testosterone.
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.
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.
[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.