MMA star from Fresno accused of brutal girlfriend beating

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno native and former MMA star is charged with an MMA-style beating of his girlfriend.

Fresno police arrested 38-year-old Lavar Johnson in August and he's still in jail on a $175,000 bail.

Investigators say they got a 911 call from his girlfriend in August, but the call cut out when Johnson broke the phone. They say he threw her to the ground and against a wall. The woman reported he kneed her in the face and punched her several times -- only stopping when he noticed how much blood was gushing from her face.

Johnson has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Johnson has prior Fresno County convictions in 2007 for felony domestic violence, misdemeanor criminal threats, and disobeying a domestic relations court order.