PFL Removes Johnny Case From 2021 Season Opener After Arrest
The Professional Fighters League is laying the hammer down on Johnny Case.
Set to make his PFL return this year, Case is being replaced by Alex Martinez. The latter will now face Loik Radzhabov during the season three premiere of the PFL on April 23 in Atlantic City. This will be a lightweight bout.
Case’s demotion comes after TMZ reported that the fighter was arrested in Las Vegas on a misdemeanor charge for domestic battery. He was released on bail last week after partaking in a hearing.
It is unknown if the PFL will let Case go altogether. Case would comment on the PFL’s decision via social media, stating:
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce I have been withdrawn from the PFL tournament. I am absolutely crushed. All of my hard work and sacrifices have been taken away from allegations that are not true. I want to thank the few friends and family members who have reached out to check on me. You don’t know how much that means to me. I’m sorry to my fans and supporters. I don’t know what the future will hold for my career. I will tell my side of the story when the time is right, but right now I just want to be with my family and do what I can to get by in the mean time.”
The 31-year-old Case made his pro debut in 2007 for Brutal Fight Night. A former MCC Lightweight Champion, Case would make his UFC debut in 2014. He went 4-2 with the promotion, winning his first four fights before losing two in a row. Case made his PFL debut in 2018 at PFL 9, drawing with Natan Schulte in a lightweight quarterfinal bout.
Case has spent the last few years with RIZN, going 3-1 with the promotion. His last fight was a TKO loss against Tofiq Musayev at RIZIN 20 in December 2019.
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