Lavar Johnson discusses TRT suspension

36-year-old heavyweight, Lavar Johnson, appeared on Monday’s episode of ‘The MMA Hour,’ where he discussed his suspension by the California State Athletic Commission for elevated levels of testosterone following his loss to Brendan Schaub at UFC 157. The loss was Johnson’s second in a row and he was subsequently released by the UFC.

“What happened was basically I was on TRT, I just didn’t disclose it to the athletic commission,” said Johnson. “It was my mistake. I was taking such little amounts; me and my doctor didn’t think anything was going to pop up, like it’s no big deal. I guess any time you’re taking any kind of testosterone it’s going to show on the test. So that’s basically what I got popped for.”

When asked why he didn’t apply for a Testosterone Use Exemption, as several fighters have, Johnson replied:

“I didn’t think it was going to show up,” he said. “I don’t know, it was a dumb mistake.”

Lavar’s use of testosterone began following a loss to Stefan Struve at UFC 146 on May 26, 2012, as he suffered from fatigue and injuries during fight camps:

“I was wondering what’s going on,” said Johnson. “So I went to the doctors, and got tested, and my testosterone levels were low. They thought they might help out with that, and that’s what I did.”

Johnson went on to say that he is done with TRT:

“I just don’t even want to take the chance or anything,” said Johnson. “I’m just going to ride out my career natural. If I get hurt, or if I can’t compete with these guys, then I just won’t fight.

“A lot of people look down on it I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want people to think I need it to be a good fighter to compete with these guys. I’ve been knocking people out since I was like 14 years old. If I can’t compete, and I keep getting injured, then I’ll just be done.”

Following his release by the UFC, Lavar Johnson signed with Bellator Fighting Championships. Johnson is scheduled to fight Vinicius Queiroz at ‘Bellator 102’ on October 4.