Kemal
22-03-2013, 08:29
On the heels of a nine-month suspension, heavyweight Lavar Johnson (17-7 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has been cut by the UFC.
MMAjunkie today confirmed the news with a source close to the fighter.
Johnson leaves the octagon with a 2-2 record, which included back-to-back losses in his most recent fights.
Johnson, who trains with the American Kickboxing Academy, flunked a drug test following a fight with Brendan Schaub at UFC 157, which ended in a unanimous decision loss. An elevated testestosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio of 6.6-to-1 triggered a carbon isotope ratio (CIR) test that confirmed Johnson had testosterone in his system that was "was consistent with the administration of a steroid."
Johnson, though, admitted he was undergoing testosterone replacement therapy in a recent conversation with the California State Athletic Commission, which oversaw the Feb. 23 pay-per-view event at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and suspended him based on the results of his test.
Johnson failed to disclose TRT on a pre-fight medical questionnaire. A rep for AKA said the fighter may seek an exemption for the treatment.
The hard-swinging heavyweight won back-to-back "Knockout of the Night" bonuses in his first UFC appearances, but struggled with his grappling in subsequent bouts. Prior to his octagon debut, Johnson went 3-2 in the now-defunct Strikeforce, falling prey to submissions in his last two performances.
Fifteen of Johnson's wins have come by way of stoppage due to strikes.
MMAjunkie today confirmed the news with a source close to the fighter.
Johnson leaves the octagon with a 2-2 record, which included back-to-back losses in his most recent fights.
Johnson, who trains with the American Kickboxing Academy, flunked a drug test following a fight with Brendan Schaub at UFC 157, which ended in a unanimous decision loss. An elevated testestosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio of 6.6-to-1 triggered a carbon isotope ratio (CIR) test that confirmed Johnson had testosterone in his system that was "was consistent with the administration of a steroid."
Johnson, though, admitted he was undergoing testosterone replacement therapy in a recent conversation with the California State Athletic Commission, which oversaw the Feb. 23 pay-per-view event at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and suspended him based on the results of his test.
Johnson failed to disclose TRT on a pre-fight medical questionnaire. A rep for AKA said the fighter may seek an exemption for the treatment.
The hard-swinging heavyweight won back-to-back "Knockout of the Night" bonuses in his first UFC appearances, but struggled with his grappling in subsequent bouts. Prior to his octagon debut, Johnson went 3-2 in the now-defunct Strikeforce, falling prey to submissions in his last two performances.
Fifteen of Johnson's wins have come by way of stoppage due to strikes.