Anthony Johnson News

Harry Kettle - December 21, 2020

Ryan Bader and Donald Cerrone picked up big wins in what proved to be an entertaining night of action at Submission Underground 19. Chael Sonnen’s SUG promotion has been able to draw in some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts over the years, and that trend continued last night as several current and former UFC & Bellator stars hit the ground for some fun grappling exchanges.

Adam Martin - December 16, 2020

Following his exit from the UFC, former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson revealed the one fight that got away from him. Johnson recently left the UFC to sign a free-agent contract with Bellator. Considering his last fight took place in 2017, it was surprising to see Johnson announce his comeback with Bellator seemingly out of nowhere. UFC president Dana White recently said that he would let Johnson explain why he left the promotion, and he did just that in an interview with ESPN on Wednesday. He also was asked if he had any regrets about his time with the UFC.

Cole Shelton - December 16, 2020

Anthony Johnson isn’t sure where Yoel Romero got his information from that it is 90 percent likely they will fight one another in their debuts. Both Johnson and Romero parted ways with the UFC and signed with Bellator this month and both men will fight at light heavyweight. Immediately, fans called for them to fight one another and even Romero said it is likely. “Rumble,” however, hasn’t heard any of that talk but is open to the fight.

Cole Shelton - December 16, 2020

Anthony Johnson has explained why he parted ways with the UFC and signed with Bellator. For over a year, “Rumble” has talked about returning to the sport and many figured it would be with the UFC. But, as he was about to return in 2021, it was revealed he and the UFC mutually agreed to part ways and he says that is all it is. He also makes it clear he has no ill-will towards the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Harry Kettle - December 16, 2020

Bellator stars Anthony Johnson and Ryan Bader are set to meet in a short notice grappling match at Submission Underground 19. Bader will be stepping in on short notice to take on Johnson as a replacement for Fabricio Werdum. The two men have actually met before in a professional MMA bout, and on that occasion back in January 2016, Johnson scored a knockout win inside the first two minutes of the fight.

Adam Martin - December 14, 2020

The opening betting odds have been revealed for a potential light heavyweight bout in Bellator between Yoel Romero and Anthony Johnson. On Monday, Bellator announced that Romero is the latest member of the promotion’s roster. Unlike in the UFC, where Romero competed at 185lbs, he will move back up to 205lbs for his move to Bellator, the same weight class he competed at back in the Strikeforce days. It was in Strikeforce where he worked with current Bellator president Scott Coker, who last week announced he had signed Anthony Johnson to Bellator.

Adam Martin - December 10, 2020

UFC president Dana White says he had Anthony Johnson under contract, but that it was “in his best interest” to go to Bellator. When news broke this week that Johnson was making a comeback to MMA with Bellator and not with the UFC, it surprised a lot of fans and media, who assumed that Johnson would want to make another title run in the Octagon. “Rumble” has been testing a comeback to the game for a little while now, and with Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones leaving the UFC’s 205lbs weight class, it seemed like a prime opportunity for Johnson to make a run for the UFC light heavyweight title in 2021.

Harry Kettle - December 10, 2020

Bellator president Scott Coker has laid out his plans in the wake of the announcement that they have signed Anthony Johnson. The world of mixed martial arts was stunned earlier this week by the news that Johnson had parted ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in favor of signing a contract with Bellator.

Harry Kettle - December 4, 2020

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson has spoken about his desire to fight anyone and everyone that is put in his path upon returning to the UFC. It’s been almost four years since the former light heavyweight contender walked away from the promotion after his second submission loss to Daniel Cormier, but now, he’s hoping to step back into the Octagon and compete once again.

Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou says he’s “very interested” in a potential heavyweight fight with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Johnson, who has competed as low as the welterweight division in the past, achieved his biggest successes in the UFC light heavyweight division, where he twice challenged for the title. While he announced his retirement from MMA in 2017, he is now plotting a return to the Octagon, perhaps to the heavyweight division.

Christopher Taylor - October 14, 2020

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson has issued a scathing response to recent middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa. Costa (13-1 MMA) put his undefeated mixed martial arts record on the line while hoping to dethrone middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (20-0 MMA) at last months UFC 253 pay-per-view event on Fight Island.

Christopher Taylor - September 30, 2020

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson is not impressed with recent middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa. Costa (13-1 MMA) put his undefeated mixed martial arts record on the line while hoping to dethrone middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (20-0 MMA) at last weekend’s UFC 253 pay-per-view event on Fight Island.

Cole Shelton - August 17, 2020

Anthony Johnson is getting closer to making his comeback. For months now, Johnson has been talking about coming out of retirement and make a run at UFC gold. He has been doing bodybuilding as of late but has gotten the itch to return. Yet, for months, “Rumble” has yet to re-enter the USADA pool leaving his return to be delayed.

Fernando Quiles - June 22, 2020

If you’re looking forward to the return of Anthony Johnson, Dana White’s update isn’t so encouraging. Back in the summer of 2019, it was revealed that “Rumble” planned to make a comeback in the UFC heavyweight division. “Rumble” was shooting for a date in March but we’re now in mid-2020 and Johnson still hasn’t stepped back inside the Octagon.

Adam Martin - June 3, 2020

Former UFC star Anthony Johnson jokingly teased a return to 170lbs in his latest post detailing an update on his current weight. Johnson is rumored to make his return to the UFC sometime this year after retiring in 2017. He has teased a return to the cage for the last few months, periodically posting updates on his current weight. Some have said that Johnson could return to the heavyweight division, but a return to light heavyweight could be in his future as well.

Tom Taylor - May 11, 2020

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson is in the process of slimming down for his widely anticipated return to the Octagon. Speaking on his official Instagram account over the weekend, Johnson announced that he’s gotten his weight down to 236lbs, and that he’s beginning a “mini camp” in preparation for his UFC comeback.

Harry Kettle - March 26, 2020

Anthony Johnson has revealed the fight that inspired him to take a leap of faith and commit to making a UFC comeback. Ever since his last fight back at UFC 210, fans have been wondering whether or not Johnson would ever step foot inside the Octagon again. Now, it appears as if it’s just a matter of time before the knockout artist is back competing for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Harry Kettle - March 11, 2020

Former UFC light heavyweight title contender Anthony Johnson has provided fans with an update regarding his return to mixed martial arts. Johnson, 36, has not been in the Octagon since UFC 210 in April 2017. On that night in Buffalo he was submitted by Daniel Cormier, failing to capture the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from “DC” for the second time.