JASON
"Gladiator"
JOHNSON
Los Angeles, California via Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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FRIDAY, February 22nd, 2002, AT 12:30 PM, PT
If you've ever been to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA in December, you need to make sure you go to the East side of town and stand on the shore of Lake Michigan. To say it's a lake is deceiving because when you look out at the endless body of deep blue water, you don't see the other side. From this view, you might think your standing somewhere on a Northern coastline facing the Pacific or Atlantic Ocean. The only thing that's missing is the giant waves breaking on the beach. What you will find though is a cold northern wind blowing in your face and maybe a little ice on the lake to add to its beauty. There is something about Wisconsin that has a certain mystic about it. High up in Central America it gets plenty of northern winds from Canada. Over the years it's been recognized as being the home of great American things like Harley Davidson, Miller Beer and of course don't forget, this IS Packer Country! Wisconsin is the home of The NFL Football team, the Green Bay Packers. A team filled with a strong tradition of winning behind great stars such as Bart Starr or Brett Favre lead by great leaders such as Vince Lombardi and Mike Holmgren. However to us here at the IKF and many in the world of kickboxing, Wisconsin is known for another Great American venture and it can be summed up in 2 words, "Gladiator Kickboxing!" On Sunday night September 6th, 1998 in Beloit Wisconsin, there was a Gladiator in the making. It was the first time a fighter by the name of Jason stepped into a kickboxing ring for his first real fight. It was bout 7 and when the fight was over, Jason had recorded his first of many wins over a fighter named Jack Lagrange of Dubuque Iowa by split decision. It was on a cold December weekend in Milwaukee Wisconsin when I first met this young Gladiator. It would be on a Saturday night, December 5th, 1998 where I would see him fight for the first time. His bout was overshadowed by other seasoned Gladiators of the sport who would take the spotlight on this night, but Jason's night would come... On the night, IKF Promoter Duke Roufus won the vacant IKF Pro MuayThai Rules Super Heavyweight World Title over Hirawa TeRangi of Auckland, New Zealand. Before his win, Richard Kostuck had successfully defended his IKF Pro MuayThai Rules Junior Welterweight Intercontinental Title by defeating Sakasem for the second time in his career. On the undercard was once again Jason, a Heavyweight Muay Thai fighter who had been paired up against Mark Vinesbright of Indianapolis Indiana, USA. Vinesbright entered the ring chiselled like a video game warrior fighter showing more muscle rips and curves than The Hulk. However, it would be on this night that "The Hulk" would face "The Gladiator" and Vinesbright's perfect 6-0 record was on the line against Jason with a record of only 1 win and no loses. During the bout, Jason lasted Vinesbright's strong round 1 attack with Vinesbright taking round 1 on all 3 judges cards 10-9. However in round 2, "The Gladiator", Jason pressed the fight scoring with several "STRONG" knees to Vinesbright's face and chest. His attack forced a standing 8 count to Vinesbright who seemed winded from the attack. Jason moved ahead on the score cards from the 8 count as he won round 2. Still taken back from "The Gladiator" attack in round 2, "The Hulk" lost his wind early in round 3 and eventually, referee Al Wickers made the right decision and stopped the bout at 1:11 of round 3. It would be Jason's first TKO/KO win and he improved to 2-0 while Vinesbright lost for the first time in 7 bouts. By the time the first IKF North Central Regional was promoted, Jason's trainers had already given him his first nickname, "The Roadblock!" At the Regional on April 17th, 1999 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jason had registered to fight in the Heavyweight MuayThai class. He was 24 years old, 6' tall and 212 lbs with a fight record of 2 wins and no loses. However no one else entered at the weight so he was left without a fight. However, so was Light Cruiserweight MuayThai fighter Christian Toleque of Ohio. Both wanted some ring time and agreed to do an exhibition for the crowd. But hey...These 2 were BANGIN! What an EXHIBITION! Both fighters were undefeated, and neither wanted to give up any ground, even in an "Exhibition" bout where the fight wasn't judged. Instead, pride was on the line instead. Jason and Christian began working knee attacks like seasoned MuayThai warriors. Both fighters were big, ripped, and in great shape! In round 2, Jason caught a kick thrown by Christian and then went to work on his supporting leg. The crowd was really fired up, and so were the fighters! Jason unloaded a solid low kick followed by a well-timed right hand. Both these guys dug in deeply! By the time round 3 came around these two were into the battle. Jason was throwing some great punch-low kick combinations and followed up with knee attacks while Christian peppered back with swift jabs. Considering how hard both worked, one would never have guessed that this was an "exhibition, but now it was time for the Next Level for both to "Walk The Walk" at the first annual IKF USA National Championship Tournament in Council Bluffs Iowa.
Although Johnson was scheduled to fight on Roufus' September 18th, "King Of The Ring" event, he was left without a bout when his opponent dropped out the week of the event. With 2 other fights on other events, Johnson had built a 5-0 record and was selected for the 1999 USA Amateur MuayThai Team to fight in the World Amateur MuayThai Championships in Bangkok, Thailand in December. In Thailand, the top favorites for Team USA were James Downey and Dan Rawlings. However in round 1, Downey lost a close decision in one of the most exciting bouts of the day against a Finland opponent. This was Downey's first loss ever added to his 11-1 record with 5 Knockouts.Rawlings also lost his first round match to an opponent from France by decision. With both out, it was up to Johnson to emerged as the New Star for Team USA instead.
Later that month in December, Johnson's trainer, Duke Roufus announced that both Johnson and Downey were turning Pro in 2000. Downey planned to make his Pro debut January 6, 2000 at the famous Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok on Phetnoi Promotions vs a Thai opponent. He's the first American fighter to appear at Rajadamnern. Johnson planned to make his Pro debut February 26th on one of Roufus' promotions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. On Thursday, January 6, 2000, Johnson's team mate in Milwaukee, James "Knock`em Down" Downey did what no other American has ever done. Fighting in his professional debut at Bangkok's famous Rajadamnern Stadium, the 21 year old not only became the first American to ever fight at Rajadamnern, he also became the first American to win at Rajadamnern.Downey stopped Konsan T. Pitakgolghan who had 35 professional fights, midway through round 3. Back in the states, Johnson would not make his Pro debut in Milwaukee as planned but instead, he would travel north to Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada to meet up with Wade Irwin of Sik Tai Muay Thai, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (11-5/4) on February 12th, 2000. In the bout Johnson went on to win his first Pro bout with a unanimous decision win, 49-46, 48-47 & 49-46. Johnson's next entree into the Pro Ring was on April 1st, 2000 in Milwaukee where in bout 11 of the night he defeated Christian "King Cobra" Toleque (Indianapolis Siam) by Split Decision, 48-47, 47-48, 48-47 to improve to 9-0. His next pro bout was in Milwaukee on May 6th, 2000 as the Main Event of the "MuayThai Madness" event. It was bout 13 and Johnson made his fans believe even more as he defeated Wade Irwin (Sik-Tai MuayThai) by TKO at 2:36 of Round 1.
With a perfect record, it was time for Johnson to step up to the next level and the invitation to the K-1 USA event may have been another level, but maybe too big of a jump at the time. K-1 was no small time event. It was "The Show!" Johnson may have been ready for the fight itself, but the outside distractions of Las Vegas and the K-1 Media may have taken a bit of his focus away. It appeared so on Saturday night, August 5th when Tomasz Kucharzewski (6', 225 - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) quickly stopped Johnson by the hated K-1 2 knockdown rule at 56 seconds of the first round. It was a wake up call for Johnson who realized after this bout that there is always more to a fight than the fight in the ring. It would be a small mistake he would never make again.
Ford was valiant throughout the bout, but Johnson remained relentless, methodical (Right). The bout was rightfully ended in the third round by referee Al Wichers when Johnson was landing numerous kicks, punches, and knees on a seemingly unresponsive Ford. Johnson's final fight in the ring was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on the "HEAVYWEIGHT GLADIATORS" event. By now, Johnson had transformed from "The Roadblock" to "The Gladiator" and he was everything a Gladiator had to be. He was a fighting machine in a ripped and chiselled body with a fighting record to prove it of 14 wins, 1 loss and 11 wins by KO or TKO. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed in at 218 lbs. At the time, Johnson was ranked 7th in the world and big names ahead of him like IKF World Champion Matt Skelton followed by ranked fighters, Ernesto Hoost, Jerome LeBanner, Stefan Leko, Mike Bernardo, Francisco Filho, Peter Aerts, and his own trainer, Duke Roufus there was no shame or embarrassment to be in the 7th spot. His bout was a Semi Main Event against Mexico star Raul Romero Gonzalez of Mexico City Mexico. In the ring the two looked like 2 chiselled male models ready for either a bodybuilding contest or a shot in GQ magazine. These two simply spell out the look of a Gladiator. Gonzalez weighed in at 229 lbs to Johnson's 218 lbs and probably had a combined body fat of 3%... if that. As the two met in the ring, few women wanted to see these faces get scared, but the truth is, these two are indeed true Gladiators, which is what they came into the ring on this night to be... GLADIATORS!
Johnson had the support of America's elite fighting military, the US Marines. Johnson himself was a Marine and proudly wore the Semper Fi (Always Faithful) label on his American Red White and Blue shorts (Right) It was as if Johnson carried America on his shoulders into this fight, and he had no desire to let America down. As round 1 got going Gonzalez started to score with knees to the body quite often but Johnson countered back with knees as well and when on the outside the two evenly exchanged punches and leg kicks. Then suddenly, like the dropping of an atomic bomb, Johnson lifted up his powerful right leg and landed it squarely on the side of Gonzalez' head (Left) dropping the big man to the canvas. The blow sent a thunderous ringing throughout Gonzalez' head and although he tried to shake it off he couldn't. He tried to stand but he seemed to be off balance and as he sat back down to the canvas, referee Al Wichgers waived the end of the bout. Johnson had scored an American victory at 1:33 of round 1.
After discussing the opportunities he had with his trainer
Duke Roufus they both agree he would step down as a fighter to engage in
a new career. To Johnson, Kickboxing is not the end of his story, it was
just a part One thing that still continues today is the strong bond between coach and student. Their relationship though goes far beyond the coach and student level. Duke Roufus and Jason were true friends as well. "I have nothing but love for Duke Roufus, Scott Joffe and for every member of the team." Said Johnson, "They have done a great deal for me and I would do anything for them. They are a second family to me and we will always have a very close relationship." Johnson's decision to leave Milwaukee had nothing to do with kickboxing at all actually, he just wanted to pursue a childhood dream which is acting. Johnson continued, "I have changed careers but my friendships with everyone at the gym will never change." With that being said, we are confident that Jason has truly mastered being a Gladiator both in the ring and out and we are proud that we here at the IKF had the opportunity to be a part of his life as well as be able to call him a friend. We wish you the best in your future Champ, and remember, to us, you'll always be a Champion Gladiator! "Semper Fi!" The following is Jason's bio from the Milwaukee Kickboxing website; Jason Scott Johnson, nicknamed "Gladiator," was born in Janesville, Wisconsin on November 30, 1974. Johnson, 6' 0" and 212 lbs/95.4 kgs, is the 1999 World MuayThai Council ("W.M.C.") World Amateur Super Heavyweight Champion and the 1999 International Kickboxing Federation ("IKF") U.S. National Heavyweight Champion. His fight record is 15 wins, 1 loses with 11 KO's. He was a 1993 graduate of Martin Luther High School in Greenfield, Wisconsin where in his senior year of high school, he was the 1993 Wisconsin State Wrestling Champion at 189 lbs. He began training in MuayThai with Duke Roufus in April of 1998. A former Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps (Left) elite Recon Unit (1993-97), Johnson saw active duty overseeing peacekeeping efforts in Port au Prince, Haiti, (Right) worked security with the U.S. Border Patrol's Joint Task Force in Mexico and toured Scotland and England, where he trained with the prestigious British Royal Marines.
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A Champions Next Move...
Jason enter the
National tournament as a 
Johnson won his
first round bout by TKO in the second round against an opponent from Iran to
advance to the Championship round to fight for the Gold Medal against an
opponent from the Ukraine. On Saturday, December 11, 1999 in Thailand, Jason
"Roadblock" Johnson won the World International Federation
MuayThai Amateur (IFMA) Super Heavyweight Gold Medal with a second round
TKO over his Ukrainian opponent. The win put Johnson's amateur record at
7 wins with no loses and 4 wins coming by KO/TKO.
Johnson next IKF sanctioned fight would be in February of 2001
when he entered the ring against
Jeff Ford. The first round was punctuated by Johnson landing an
impressive head kick, which dropped the ever-formidable Ford. Ford beat
the standing eight count and continued to fight back, but Johnson's knee
attacks and kicks prevented Ford from establishing a consistent offense.
of this Gladiators Life.
Johnson moved to Las Vegas to be closer to those working with him now.
In his off time, he decided to try out as another Gladiator, but this time in
full attire working at
Kickboxing Coach/Head Kids
Coach/Private Fitness Self-Defense (Hand-to-Hand Combat - Former Force Recon
Marine) & Kickboxing Instructor/Diet & Personal Fitness Consultant -
Certified by APEX Fitness Group
