PFL fighters undergoes emergency surgery following KO loss

LeRoy Johnson was on the canvas for seven minutes after he was brutally knocked out by Muhammed De’Reese at PFL 7 in Atlantic City.

The regular season finale of the Professional Fighters League featured a series of incredibly violent finishes, including on the opening fight of the preliminary card between heavyweights Muhammed De’Reese and LeRoy Johnson.

Inside of 2 ¹?₂ minutes, De’Reese unleashed a brutal knee to Johnson’s head, causing the 38-year-old to faceplant into unconsciousness. Video of the KO can be seen below.

Johnson (8-3) remained on the ground for several minutes before being transported to a local hospital. According to his manager, Daniel Rubenstein, Johnson needed two surgeries, and one of them was for a slipped vertebrae.

For those wondering about LeRoy Johnson, here’s the update I have. had emergency surgery for a vertebrae that slipped out of place & a 2nd surgery for high blood pressure issues. Has feeling in arms and legs. PFL flying his fiancé to Philly to be with him. Thats all I know now

Both Rubenstein and a PFL official told MMAjunkie that “more updates and information will be provided on Johnson’s condition as they become available. For now, though, the heavyweight appears to be stable after the emergency procedure and will have family by his side.”

Hopefully Johnson makes a full recovery after such a devastating knockout.