The Valor Bare Knuckle heavyweight champion made the walk
for the final time at BKFC in Southern California following a decorated career
in combat sports. Johnson started his career in combat sports, making his MMA
debut in 2004 at WEC 9 at the Tachi Palace Casino Resort. He would be a main stay at the Tachi Palace
for many years, competing for most promotions that passed through. Lavar would
then get the call up from Strikeforce, who was at the time the second biggest promotion
under the UFC.
Johnson would go 3-2 under the Strikeforce banner before
being signed by the UFC in 2012. Johnson competed four times for the UFC in his
year with the promotion, before moving on to Bellator MMA. Where he would
compete in his last MMA fight at Bellator 123 in 2014.
Following about five years away from MMA, Lavar reemerged
with the upstart bare knuckle promotion led by Ken Shamrock, Valore Bare
Knuckle. Johnson would earn a first round knockout in 2019 at VBK 1, before
Covid paused the world. Johnson would then win the VBK heavyweight title at VBK
2 in 2023. Johnson would also return to the Tachi Palace, where he took his
rightful place Tachi Palace Hall of Fame.
Johnson's performances earned him a spot in the BKFC, who have
now established themselves as the top promotion for bare knuckle fighting.
Johnson was scheduled to take on Rashad Coulter at BKFC Fight Night in Los
Angeles from the Thunder Studio. Johnson instead would meet replacement Anthony
Garrett. The fight would only need one punch before one of these heavyweights
would end the night. In the end it was Garret who got the better of the initial
exchange, finishing the fight by knockout at :12 seconds into round 1.
Johnson would take to his social media following the fight
announcing on Instagram that his combat career has officially come to an end.
posting,
"I fought in the WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator, UFC, Valor
and BKFC. It was a hell of a journey."
"Had a good run. It was an honor to finish up my
career in the BKFC Thanks for all the love and support."
Lavar "Big" Johnson will be forever remembered as
a Legend in the Central Valley, whom he represented like no other when stepping
into that cage or ring. We here at Valley Fight News.com would like to
Congratulate Lavar Johnson on a great career. We appreciate the blood, sweat,
and tears you put into the sport of MMA that helped establish our area as one
not to be messed with. Thank you and best wishes in whatever the future holds
for you.
Keep up with Lavar Johnson on IG @ www.instagram.com/lavarbigjohnson
Check back with www.valleyfightnews.com for all your latest
news and coverage
Also add Valley Fight News.com on social media on IG at
www.instagram.com/_valleyfightnews.com_ and on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/valleyfightnews
By: Daniel "Trip" Quintana www.noweakshitever.com
No comments:
Post a Comment