Former UFC and RIZIN fighter, and current PFL roster member Johnny Case has been charged with a misdemeanor count of domestic battery.
According to Las Vegas/Clark County court records, Case was arrested on April 1, following an incident with a female partner later described by TMZ as a “female MMA fighter.” At an initial hearing on April 2, Case was released on his own recognizance, under the conditions that he stay out of trouble, and have no contact with the victim in the case.
Case (27-7-1) was last seen fighting with Japan’s RIZIN Fighting Federation, losing in a lightweight grand prix semifinal against Tofiq Musayev on December 31, 2019. Overall, he went 3-1 with the promotion over four fights between 2018 and 2019. He then returned to the Professional Fighters League, expecting to compete in the 2020 season, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Hollywood” competed for the UFC six times from 2014 to 2016, going 4-2 in that span.
With the PFL ramping back up this month, Case had a fight booked against Loik Radzhabov on April 23, 2021. However, on Tuesday, the PFL announced on social media that Case had been replacemed in the fight, without referencing any reason. Case’s replacement will be undefeated Mexican prospect Alexander Martinez, who fights out of Alberta, Canada. Coincidentally, Martinez was included in our recent Scouting Prospects for the Contender Series Season 5 piece.
The PFL has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding Case’s status with the promotion.
Update, 5:15PM ET — Case has released the following statement on social media:
It is with a heavy heart that I announce I have been withdrawn from the PFL tournament.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.
