Lavar Johnson
Encyclopedia
Lavar Johnson is an American mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...

 who competes as a Heavyweight. None of his career fights have ever gone to a decision. He currently competes in Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...

.

WEC

Johnson made his mma debut in the WEC promotion against Doug Marshall
Doug Marshall
Doug Garrett Marshall is an American mixed martial artist from Visalia, California who currently competes as a middleweight. He is a former WEC World Light Heavyweight champion.-Mixed martial arts career:...

 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
WEC 11
WEC 11: Evolution was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on August 20, 2004 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. The main event saw Shonie Carter take on Jason Biswell.-Results:...

 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
WEC 17
WEC 17: Halloween Fury 4 was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on October 14, 2005 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California...

 deafeating 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
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...

.

Johnson made his Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...

 debut against Carl Seumanutafa
Carl Seumanutafa
Carl Seumanutafa is a Samoan Heavyweight mixed martial artist. He has fought in a number of promotions including EliteXC, M-1 Global and Strikeforce.-Biography and career:...

 at Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina
Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina
Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The inaugural Strikeforce Challengers event took place on May 15, 2009 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.It was broadcast live on Showtime in the United States.-Televised...

 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
Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi
Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The sixth Challengers episode took place on February 26, 2010, at the San Jose Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California.-Background:The Sarah Kaufman vs...

, where he would face off against Lolohea Mahe. The two would face off, but it was scheduled for Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe
Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe
Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The seventh Challengers episode took place on March 26, 2010, at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The event drew an estimated 316,000 viewers on Showtime.-Televised card:*Heavyweight bout: ...

‎, as the main event. Johnson went on to win the fight by TKO (Punches) in the second round.

He next faced Virgil Zwicker
Virgil Zwicker
Virgil Zwicker, , is an American mixed martial artist of Native American descent who fights in the heavyweight division. He currently is signed with Strikeforce.-Early life:...

 at Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker
Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker
Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The eleventh Challengers episode took place on October 22, 2010, at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The event drew an estimated 178,000 viewers, with a peak at 260,000 on...

. He won the fight via KO (Punches) in the first round.

Johnson fought in an alternate match for Strikeforce's Heavyweight tournament. He faced and lost to Shane Del Rosario
Shane Del Rosario
Shane Kalani del Rosario is an American Thai boxer and mixed martial artist currently signed to Strikeforce. He holds the distinction of being the first American to become the WBC Muay Thai World Heavyweight Champion and has earned stoppage victories in all 11 of his professional mixed martial...

 via submission (armbar).

Johnson's next fight came against Shawn Jordan at Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough
Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough
Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce. The nineteenth Challengers episode took place on September 23, 2011 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...

. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Mixed martial arts record

|-
| Loss
|align=center| 15-5
| Shawn Jordan
| Submission (keylock)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough
Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough
Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce. The nineteenth Challengers episode took place on September 23, 2011 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...


|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:08
|Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...

, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 15–4
| Shane del Rosario
Shane Del Rosario
Shane Kalani del Rosario is an American Thai boxer and mixed martial artist currently signed to Strikeforce. He holds the distinction of being the first American to become the WBC Muay Thai World Heavyweight Champion and has earned stoppage victories in all 11 of his professional mixed martial...


| Submission (armbar)
| Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva
Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva
Strikeforce / M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Silva was a mixed martial arts event. It took place on February 12th, 2011 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey...


|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:31
|East Rutherford, New Jersey
East Rutherford, New Jersey
East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan....

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 15–3
| Virgil Zwicker
Virgil Zwicker
Virgil Zwicker, , is an American mixed martial artist of Native American descent who fights in the heavyweight division. He currently is signed with Strikeforce.-Early life:...


| KO (punches)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker
Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker
Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The eleventh Challengers episode took place on October 22, 2010, at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The event drew an estimated 178,000 viewers, with a peak at 260,000 on...


|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:17
|Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 14–3
| Lolohea Mahe
Lolohea Mahe
Lolohea Mahe is an American Samoan mixed martial artist who fights as a heavyweight and formerly super heavyweight. Only one of his career fights has ever gone to a decision.-Early career:...


| TKO (punches)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe
Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe
Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The seventh Challengers episode took place on March 26, 2010, at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The event drew an estimated 316,000 viewers on Showtime.-Televised card:*Heavyweight bout: ...


|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:29
|Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 13–3
| Carl Seumanutafa
Carl Seumanutafa
Carl Seumanutafa is a Samoan Heavyweight mixed martial artist. He has fought in a number of promotions including EliteXC, M-1 Global and Strikeforce.-Biography and career:...


| KO (punch)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina
Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina
Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The inaugural Strikeforce Challengers event took place on May 15, 2009 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.It was broadcast live on Showtime in the United States.-Televised...


|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:18
|Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 12–3
| Dave Huckaba
Dave Huckaba
Dave Huckaba is an American mixed martial artist and former Gladiator Challenge Heavyweight Champion. He was supposed to fight UFC Hall of Famer and current Gladiator Challenge Superfight Champion Dan Severn, but never signed a contract and was stripped of his title by Gladiator Challenge...


| TKO (corner stoppage)
| PFC 12: High Stakes
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:00
|Lemoore, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 11–3
| Sean Souza
| KO (punch)
| War Gods: Do or Die
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:51
|Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 10–3
| Vince Lucero
| KO (punch)
| PFC 10: Explosive
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:16
|Lemoore, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–3
| Sal Farnetti
| TKO (punches)
| PFC: Bias vs Blood
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:14
|Lemoore, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 8–3
| Alijah Reni
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| War Gods
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:31
|Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...

, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 8–2
| Brian Olsen
| Submission (knee injury)
| WEC 18
WEC 18
WEC 18: Unfinished Business was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on January 13, 2006 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California.-Results:*Josh Green vs Rafael del Real...


|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 0:14
|Lemoore, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–1
| Corey Salter
| Submission (strikes)
| WEC 17
WEC 17
WEC 17: Halloween Fury 4 was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on October 14, 2005 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California...


|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:37
|Lemoore, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–1
| Todd Gouwenberg
| TKO (punches)
| Freedom Fight: Canada vs USA
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 2:53
|Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....

, Canada
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–1
| Carlos Garcia
| TKO (punches)
| WEC 15
WEC 15
WEC 15: Judgment Day was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on May 19th 2005 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California...


|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:09
|Lemoore, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–1
| Lace Pele
| TKO (punches)
| GC 33: Brutal Force
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:54
|Porterville, California
Porterville, California
Porterville is a city in the San Joaquin Valley, in Tulare County, California, United States. Porterville's population was 54,165 at the 2010 census. The city's population grew dramatically as the city annexed many properties and unincorporated areas in and around Porterville. Not included in the...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–1
| Terry Pettek
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Venom: First Strike
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:21
|Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–1
| Fred Diaz
| KO (punches)
| WEC 11
WEC 11
WEC 11: Evolution was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on August 20, 2004 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. The main event saw Shonie Carter take on Jason Biswell.-Results:...


|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| N/A
|Lemoore, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–1
| Kyle Kenny
| KO
| Lords of the Cage
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:36
|Anacortes, Washington
Anacortes, Washington
Anacortes is a city in Skagit County, Washington, United States. The name "Anacortes" is a consolidation of the name Anna Curtis, who was the wife of early Fidalgo Island settler Amos Bowman. Anacortes' population was 15,778 at the time of the 2010 census...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–1
| Levi Thornbrue
| TKO (punches)
| WEC 10
WEC 10
WEC 10: Bragging Rights was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on May 21, 2004 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. This event saw the fourth appearance of future Superstar Gilbert Melendez who took on Olaf Alfonso. This event also saw two of the...


|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:32
|Lemoore, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 0–1
| Doug Marshall
Doug Marshall
Doug Garrett Marshall is an American mixed martial artist from Visalia, California who currently competes as a middleweight. He is a former WEC World Light Heavyweight champion.-Mixed martial arts career:...


| TKO (corner stoppage)
| WEC 9
WEC 9
WEC 9: Cold Blooded was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on January 16, 2004 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. The main event saw Mike Kyle take on Jude Hargett.- Results :...


|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 5:00
|Lemoore, California
Lemoore, California
Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, United States
|

External links

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