
MMA Fighting confirmed the news with Johnson's manager, Ken Pavia.
After months of public feuding stemming from a possible prior matchup, the two were set to square off at the premiere edition of the UFC on Versus on March 21.
Now the matchup will have to wait longer, if it ever happens at all.
Howard (13-4) has won all three of his forays in the octagon since signing with the UFC, most recently knocking out Dennis Hallman at The Ultimate Fighter 10 finale.
Johnson (8-3) just saw his own three-fight win streak snapped when he was submitted by Josh Koscheck at UFC 106 last November.