Anthony Johnson, who played in the UFC and fought for the light heavyweight title several times, has died after battling an illness. he was 38
Bellator MMA, one of the promotions Johnson has been in, announced the former fighter’s death on social media on Sunday. A Bellator spokesman said Johnson had been ill for more than a year.
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Anthony Johnson announces his retirement following his loss to Daniel Cormier in their UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout during the UFC 210 event at the KeyBank Center on April 8, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“The BELLATOR family is saddened by his untimely death and we extend our condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time,” the company said.
Johnson released worrying news in September 2021 that he needed “as many prayers as possible” and was in a fight unrelated to COVID-19. Johnson then published in May that he had received information from a doctor that he had made “great improvements”.
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Anthony Johnson speaks to Joe Rogan after he was defeated by Daniel Cormier in their UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout during the UFC 210 event at the KeyBank Center on April 8, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
In October, Johnson’s manager told ESPN that “Rumble” was “going through some health issues right now… he’s not doing well.”
His death resonated throughout the MMA community on social media.
Johnson had 11 knockouts during his decade with UFC. He fought from 2007 to 2017, losing twice to Daniel Cormier in light heavyweight title fights. During his time at UFC, he competed in three weight divisions and became one of the strongest punchers the company had ever seen.
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Anthony Johnson waits backstage during the UFC 210 weigh-in at the KeyBank Center on April 7, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
He retired from the UFC in 2017 and competed with Bellator in 2021 before his health problems worsened.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaydos is Sports Editor at Fox News Digital.