Photo by Esther Lin for Strikeforce
Strikeforce fighter Lavar Johnson (15-5) is the first heavyweight to make the move to the Ultimate Fighting Championship since last weeks new broadcast deal announcement between Showtime and Strikeforce.
UFC officials Tweeted (@ufc) the news Tuesday, pitting him against ‘The Mexicutioner’ Joey Beltran (13-6) at next months UFC on FOX 2 show in Illinois.
Heavyweights added to @UFConFOX 2 in Chicago: Joey Beltran @Mexicutioner760 vs. @LavarJohnson
UFC on FOX 2 (aka UFC on FOX: Evans vs. Davis) is scheduled to take place on January 28, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois and represents the second UFC event on FOX television, but the first of the two companies broadcast deal.
Johnson did not have a kind 2011, dropping both of his Strikeforce appearances which ended a seven fight win streak for the California fighter. The most recent loss was to Shawn Jordin this past September at the Strikeforce Challengers 19 event, losing by second round submission (keylock). The other defeat took place last February at the Fedor vs. Silva event, where he fought as an alternate for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix and was eliminated by Shane del Rosario by armbar in the first round. Johnson did have three wins in a Strikeforce cage before that, earning KO stoppages against Virgil Zwicker, Lolohea Mahe, and Carl Seumanutafa.
‘The Mexicutioner’ will have to put in a good performance against Johnson as Beltran is just 1-3 in his last four matches in the UFC. Most recently he was beaten by Stipe Miocic this past October via unanimous decision at UFC 136. Before the loss, Beltran stopped newcomer Aaron Rosa at UFC 131, finishing his opponent by third round TKO. The two previous losses were at the hands of Pat Barry, at Fight for the Troops 2, and to Matt Mitrione, at UFC 119. Both of those losses were by unanimous decision.
This should be an entertaining bout as both fighters will look to put on a good performance to keep their jobs with the UFC. As much as I love Joey Beltran, I think Johnson has the superior striking to take this fight.