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Despite a previous promise to keep him around, the UFC has cut Lavar Johnson.

The decision comes following a failed post-fight drug test for Johnson, as the California Athletic Commission found high levels of testosterone in his system.

Johnson’s (17-7) release has yet to be confirmed by the UFC, as MMAjunkie.com first reported it. He went 2-2 inside the Octagon, including a loss last month to Brendan Schaub.

Johnson received a nine-month suspension and is expected to be fined by the commission.

The California Athletic Commission flagged the post-fight drug test of Lavar Johnson, according to information received by MMAjunkie.com.

Johnson lost to Brendan Schaub at UFC 157 last month. His test came back for elevated levels of testosterone. Andy Foster of the athletic commission said there was additional carbon isotope ratio that was “consistent with the administration of a steroid.”

Johnson (17-7) has gone 2-2 in his Octagon career. Following the loss, he posted that UFC officials had told him he wouldn’t be cut.

Of course, with this latest news, that could change.

Chad Mendes will not be fighting on February 23 at UFC 157, as the promotion was unable to secure a replacement for Manny Gamburyan.

Gamburyan and Mendes were set to kick-start the pay-per-view main card from Anaheim, but Gamburyan suffered a broken thumb and fractured elbow in training recently.

Well guys it looks like I’m off the Anaheim card. Sucks pretty bad. Ill keep everyone updated with what I find out. Sorry.

— chad mendes (@chadmendes) February 10, 2013

In place of the bout, heavyweights Brendan Schaub and Lavar Johnson are expected to be featured on the main card.

Heavyweights Brendan Schaub and Lavar Johnson won’t have to wait long to face off, as MMAjunkie.com is reporting the two have agreed to meet in February at UFC 157.

The two were originally set to collide this past weekend, but a groin injury knocked Johnson off the card. No replacement was found, and Schaub was removed, as well.

UFC 157 takes place February 23 from Anaheim’s Honda Center. The placement of the bout is currently unknown.

Schaub (8-3) is coming off a pair of losses to Ben Rothwell and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. He is a former runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter.

Johnson (17-6) suffered his first UFC loss recently, falling to Stefan Struve. The ex-Strikeforce competitor had won his first two UFC bouts.

Lavar Johnson didn’t want to pull out of a planned heavyweight encounter with Brendan Schaub at UFC on Fox 5.

However, Johnson’s injured groin had other thoughts, forcing “Big” out of the fight. Schaub has also been removed, as a replacement fighter was unable to be found on such short notice.

Johnson (17-6) sent a message to Schaub (8-2) via Twitter after news of the fight cancellation was made, informing “The Hybrid” that he hopes the two can tangle down the road.

@brendanschaub I was looking forward to it. Hope we can get it done in the future. Once again, I’m sorry big dawg

— Lavar Johnson (@LavarJohnson) November 30, 2012

Schaub responded, writing, “part of the game my man.” The former Ultimate Fighter runner-up said he was disappointed in missing out on competing on the card.

Brendan Schaub has been left without a dance partner for UFC on Fox 5, as Lavar Johnson has suffered an injury in training.

“Lavar Johnson is out of the Fox prelims with a pulled groin,” UFC president Dana White posted on Twitter. “He was fighting Brendan Schaub.”

No replacement has been named, as the card takes place December 8 from Seattle. Schaub-Johnson was expected to be the featured bout on the FX-televised prelims.

Frustrated would be an understatement..back to the gym

— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) November 30, 2012

BJPenn.com meets up with Brendan Schaub who confirms his next opponent is indeed Lavar Johnson.

A pair of fights have been confirmed by UFC officials for December’s UFC on Fox 5 card. The event takes place from the KeyArena in Seattle on December 8.

Heavyweights Brendan Schaub and Lavar Johnson will meet, along with Mike Swick and Matt Brown. The placement of either card is currently unknown, though three of the usual four fights for the main card are already filled.

Schaub (8-3) will be trying to snap a two-fight losing skid. The Ultimate Fighter runner-up had won four straight before back-to-back defeats vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Ben Rothwell.

Johnson (17-6) entered the UFC from Strikeforce and won his first two fights in impressive fashion. However, he was stopped by Stefan Struve in his previous fight.

Swick (15-4) improved to 10-3 inside the Octagon by knockout out DaMarques Johnson. He recently signed a new four-fight deal with the company.

Brown (15-11) is on a three-fight win streak himself, improving his UFC standing to 8-5.

Photo credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

Brendan Schaub told MMAjunkie.com Radio recently that he is likely headed for UFC 154 and a heavyweight meeting with Lavar Johnson.

UFC 154 takes place November 17 from Montreal’s Bell Centre. The main event is expected to feature Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Condit meeting for the undisputed UFC welterweight title.

Schaub (8-3) won four consecutive fights before dropping back-to-back bouts to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Ben Rothwell.

Against Johnson, the former Ultimate Fighter finalist will be facing a knockout machine. Johnson (17-6) won his first two fights inside the Octagon before being submitted by Stefan Struve earlier this year.

Photo credit: Sherdog

Cain Velasquez could join his American Kickboxing Academy teammate, Daniel Cormier, on the sidelines with a hand injury.

The medical suspensions for this past Saturday’s UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir event have been reported by MMA Junkie’s Steven Marrocco. The results were confirmed by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Velasquez, a winner over Antonio Silva in the co-main event, will need to have an X-ray on his left hand to find out of it is broken. The former UFC heavyweight champion could be suspended until November if it requires surgery.

UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, who defeated Frank Mir, was on issued any suspension. Mir was handed a short suspension for his efforts.

UFC 146: DOS SANTOS VS. MIR MEDICAL SUSPENSIONS

Cain Velasquez: Needs X-ray of left hand. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by doctor. Suspended at minimum until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Antonio Silva: Needs X-ray of nose. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by an ear, nose and throat doctor. Suspended at minimum until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for lacerations

Jamie Varner: Needs X-ray of right hand. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by doctor. Suspended at minimum until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Jason Miller: Needs clearance of right thumb and left knee by orthopedist or sports doctor or suspended until November 20. Suspended at minimum until July 11 with no contact until June 26 for tough fight

C.B. Dollaway: Needs X-ray of left thumb. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by doctor. Suspended at minimum until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Jacob Volkmann: Needs clearance of left elbow clearance of right thumb and left knee by orthopedist or suspended until November 20

Frank Mir: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Dave Herman: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Shane Del Rosario: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Duane Ludwig: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Lavar Johnson: Needs evaluation of left elbow by orthopedist. Suspended at minimum until July 11 with no contact until June 26

Edson Barboza: Suspended until July 11 with no contact until June 26 for TKO loss

Stipe Miocic: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Darren Elkins: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for left ear hematoma

Diego Brandao: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for tough fight

Mike Brown: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for left forehead laceration

Daniel Pineda: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for tough fight