Lavar Johnson, After Almost Losing His Life To Gunfire, Returns To Strikeforce Challenger VII

Do you have the SHOWTIME cable channel? If not, don’t worry about it!!!  This weekend is the free preview weekend allowing you to see Strikeforce Challengers Friday night for FREE! The free preview weekend runs Thurs 3/25 – Sun 3/28.  Tune in Friday evening for the fight!  Check your local television guide for start time.

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This Friday, March 26th, 2010, Strikeforce is set to put on another one of it’s Strikeforce Challengers (VII) Series.

Strikeforce Challengers is set aside to host professional mma fighters (men and women) who are up and coming and trying to make their mark in the sport in hopes of being apart of the bigger Strikeforce shows. The Challengers series is a collaborative effort by both Strikeforce and the Showtime cable network.    The series also includes veteran mma fighters who are trying to reenter their names into viable candidates for bigger fights.  There has also been amateur fights included in the series.

To the casual mma fan, you will probably have little to no idea who these fighters are that compete in this series.  But these fighters usually some of the best underground talents and are hoping you’ll know them a year or two from now.

One fighter that is looking to continue to pad his impressive fighting resume is Lavar “Big” Johnson (13-3; 11 knockouts).  He has been fighting since 2004.  What is quite impressive about Johnson is the fact that 12 of his wins have come quickly in the 1st round, 10 via knockout.   His average time in the ring is roughly 1:60.  Impressive?  Definitely!

Johnson’s last fight was in May of 2009.  Roughly 2 months after that fight, Johnson was celebrating at his family barbecue and reunion celebration when a gunmen opened fire amongst his relatives, killing one or two of  Lavar’s family members.  Johnson was also seriously injured from the gunshots.  As reported from Sherdog.com, 3 other people at the gathering were shot but survived.

Johnson underwent surgery for his gunshot wound where he was shot a reported 3 times.  He was hospitalized for an entire month, and was said to have lost 60 pounds during this time.  He was reportedly in serious condition and ‘clinging on to life.’

Some consider Lavar Johnson a hero, because as the bullets were haplessly sprayed amongst the crowd, while running away, Lavar spotted a little girl frozen by all the melee; covered her up and ran away as he shielded her.  The little girl was not harmed!  Kudos to Mr. Big Johnson!!!

Steve Coker, the big cheese for Strikeforce believes Johnson (32) has a good future in the heavyweight division and has plans on spotlighting Johnson which will be this Friday.  Big Johnson is the sole headliner for Strikeforce Challengers VII, as he takes on the heavy-handed Hawaiian Lolohea Mahe (3-0).

Scouting Report on Lavar Johson:
-Powerful and a good boxer
-Devasting uppercut punch
-Prone to fatigue
-2 of his 3 losses were from submission holds
-Good ground and pound, but limited submission skills

Lavar Johnson’s story is truly remarkable and courageous.
“[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.” Sherdog.com