NAME - Lavar Johnson
NICKNAME - big
FIGHTING OUT OF - IRVINE, CA
AGE - 32
WEIGHT - 259 LBS
HEIGHT - 6 FT 4 IN
MMA RECORD - 14-3

After being struck down by the gunfire that also led to the death of a cousin, Johnson, a father of two boys, ages eight and five, spent one month in hospital care and lost approximately 60 pounds. Months of physical rehabilitation followed and, one month ago, Johnson was cleared by a physician to return to training with trainer Jasper Tayaba and Team Buhawe in Fresno. “(The experience) made me realize how fragile life is and that every day I’m here is a blessing. It has also made me take MMA more seriously.”

The heavy-handed Johnson (13-3), a 6-foot-4 inch, 250-pound resident of nearby Madera returned from the tragic incident to face heavy-handed Lolohea Mahe in front of a hometown crowd. After a good exchange in the first, Johnson, who was fighting for the first time since the near-death assault last summer, came out swinging in the second round, landing punch after punch and choking out Mahe. "It gives me a lot of confidence about where I am right now as a fighter. It’s just good to be back.”