Johnson was born and raised in West Jordan, Utah, he and his family were poor and lived in a rough part of the town.[2] Johnson was primarily raised by his Mormon mother, as his father died when he was nine years old.[2] Johnson attended and graduated from Kearns High School, where he competed in wrestling and basketball and would often get into fights.[3] In 2000, Johnson joined the United States Army and National Guard, an option given to him as a kid to get out of some trouble.[2] Johnson, who was a standout in hand to hand combat, worked in the S-1 and did paperwork for other soldiers while assigned to a Special Forces group. It was in 2001, while still enlisted, when a fellow soldier in his platoon introduced to Johnson to Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He trained at Close Combat Institute (CCI)[4] After returning to civilian life following his eight years of active duty, he met Jeremy Horn and began training in mixed martial arts at his gym.[5] Before taping for the Ultimate Fighter, DaMarques taught children's Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes at Sandy's Elite Performance gym.[6]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Johnson, who in the earlier portions of his career fought as high in the weight classes as Heavyweight had his first fight in 2005, losing by technical knockout. He was submitted by the highly regarded Brock Larson in his second fight. In his third professional fight, Johnson had his first win at a King of the Cage event, winning the fight by submission due to punches.[7]
The Ultimate Fighter
Johnson appeared on The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom. He defeated Ray Elbe by technical knockout in an elimination match earning him a spot on the United States team. Johnson won his second fight against Dean Amasinger by submission using a triangle choke, which is noted by his coaches and teammates to be his signature submission move. Johnson won his semi-final match up against Nick Osipczak by unanimous decision. This win earned him the first spot in the Welterweight Finals.[8]
Johnson also gained notoriety throughout the series due to his ongoing feud with Team UK coach Michael Bisping. Tensions reached an all-time high after Bisping squirted water into Johnson's face citing that Johnson had made a racist comment toward him earlier in the week. However, the comment was made by fellow USA teammate Cameron Dollar, causing Bisping to apologize to Johnson for his behavior.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Johnson lost his UFC debut when he fought James Wilks on June 20, 2009, in Las Vegas to crown the TUF 9 welterweight winner. Johnson tapped out to a rear-naked choke with six seconds left in round one. After the finale, Johnson was offered a multi-fight contract with the UFC.
At UFC 100 Fan Expo in Las Vegas
Johnson was scheduled to face off against Peter Sobotta on November 14, 2009, at UFC 105, but the bout was cancelled due to a military commitment for Sobotta.[9][10] Johnson instead fought and defeated Edgar García via submission (triangle choke) in the first round at UFC 107, earning him a Submission of the Night bonus.[11] UFC.com ranked the submission fourth in the UFC's 2009 Submission of Year and had honorable mention for UFC's 2009 Fight of the Year.
At UFC 112, Johnson fought seasoned veteran Brad Blackburn, defeating him via third-round TKO with a kick to the body and follow up punches.[12][13] Johnson received his second UFC bonus, winning Knockout of the Night honors.
Johnson then faced Matthew Riddle on August 1, 2010, at UFC on Versus 2. However, Johnson weighed in at 172.5 lb (and only lost half a pound after the weigh-in). Johnson had to give up 20% of his purse to Riddle.[14] Riddle defeated Johnson via TKO in the second round.
Johnson next faced Mike Guymon on January 22, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 23.[15] He won the fight via verbal submission in the first round after applying a body triangle.
Johnson faced Amir Sadollah on March 26, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 24, replacing an injured James Wilks on just two weeks notice.[16] Johnson lost the bout in the second round after tapping out to elbows while he was trapped in the 'gift wrap' control.
Johnson/Harvison took place on November 12, 2011, at UFC on Fox 1.[19] Johnson won the fight via first-round KO after hitting Harvison with an uppercut that knocked him down and seemingly unconscious.
Johnson faced Mike Swick on August 4, 2012, at UFC on FOX 4.[21] Swick rocked Johnson early in the first round but Johnson weathered the storm and seemed to have the advantage at the end of the round with his grappling. Early in the second round Swick leg swept Johnson to the ground and finished him off with a punch; followed by two more strikes to an already unconscious Johnson.
Johnson was tabbed as a short notice replacement and faced promotional newcomer Gunnar Nelson at a catchweight of 175 lbs. on September 29, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 5, replacing an injured Pascal Krauss.[22] Johnson did not make weight, coming in at 186.5 lbs. and lost the fight via first round submission due to a rear naked choke. After his loss to Nelson and missing weight by 16.5 lbs., Johnson was released from the UFC.[23]
Post-UFC career
Johnson was expected to face Jason South at Showdown Fights 10 on February 8, 2013, however the bout was cancelled prior to the event.[24]
Finally, over a year after his UFC release, Johnson faced Ian Williams at Cage Warrior Combat 9 on November 2, 2013. He lost the fight via split decision.[25] He was then expected to face Indalecio Tat Romero at Dakota FC: Winter Brawl on January 11, 2014. However, Johnson was forced out of the bout due to injury.[26]
He was expected to face Dan Stittgen in the main event of APFC 16 on April 5, 2014,[27] however Johnson was removed from the bout and the fight was cancelled.[28]
Johnson fought Matt Dwyer at Battlefield Fight League 30 on May 23, 2014.[29] He lost via second-round TKO, bringing his losing streak to five in a row.[30]
