Anthony Johnson News
Daniel Cormier apologizes to Rumble Johnson during UFC Hall of Fame speech: “I think I may have grabbed the towel in Buffalo”
Harry Kettle - July 1, 2022
UFC legend Daniel Cormier issued an apology to Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson last night after coming clean about towelgate. As part of International Fight Week, Daniel Cormier was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame after years of success with the promotion. In addition to becoming a two-weight world champion, he also managed to defeat some big names throughout his run including Stipe Miocic, Derrick Lewis, Anderson Silva, Alexander Gustafsson, Anthony Johnson and more.
Anthony Johnson announces comeback after recovering from serious illness: “When I’m back you’ll see a different, more dangerous version of what you’ve already seen”
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2022
Bellator star Anthony Johnson has confirmed he’s aiming to get back into the cage and hopes to do so before the end of the year. After four years away from active competition, Anthony Johnson – also known as ‘Rumble’ – made a triumphant return last year when he knocked out José Augusto to progress in the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. He was initially scheduled to take on Vadim Nemkov in the semi-finals but unfortunately, a serious illness led to him withdrawing from the tournament.
Anthony Johnson slams Bruce Buffer for suggesting fighters “become irrelevant” when they leave the UFC
Jeffrey Walter - February 6, 2022
Anthony Johnson has slammed Bruce Buffer for suggesting fighters “become irrelevant” when they leave the UFC. The topic of fighter pay, or a lack there of, has been a hot topic in recent weeks.
Scott Coker provides updates on Bellator fighters Anthony Johnson and Dillon Danis
Harry Kettle - January 3, 2022
Bellator president Scott Coker has cast a shadow of doubt over the immediate future of Dillon Danis and Anthony Johnson in the promotion. There are plenty of reasons for fans of Bellator to feel hopeful as we begin 2022. The last twelve months have seen them continue to flourish with high-profile title fights, big signings and successful tournaments.
Anthony Johnson slams Paulo Costa over UFC Vegas 41 weight debacle: "I’d still try and make the weight and not be a b—h"
Christopher Taylor - October 22, 2021
Anthony Johnson has slammed Paulo Costa for his recent weight debacle prior to Saturday’s UFC Vegas 41 main event. Costa (13-1 MMA) was expected to return to action in a middleweight bout against Marvin Vettori this weekend in Las Vegas. However, earlier this week ‘The Eraser’ revealed he could not make weight for the contest and the bout was subsequently moved up to light heavyweight.
Anthony Johnson provides health update after being forced out of Bellator 268 with a serious illness
Christopher Taylor - October 16, 2021
Veteran MMA fighter Anthony Johnson has provided a health update after being forced out of tonight’s Bellator 268 event due to a serious illness. Four weeks ago ‘Rumble’ took to social media where he informed fight fans that he was forced to withdraw from the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Anthony Johnson forced to withdraw from Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix: "Never been this afraid of anything in my life"
Chris Taylor - September 18, 2021
Anthony Johnson has been forced to withdraw from the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix and the situation sounds rather serious. Johnson (23-6 MMA), a former UFC title challenger, advanced to the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix semifinals back in May with a second round knockout victory over Jose Augusto.
Anthony Johnson vs. Vadim Nemkov, Ryan Bader vs. Corey Anderson set for fall Bellator event
Adam Martin - August 1, 2021
Light heavyweight bouts featuring Anthony Johnson vs. Vadim Nemkov and Ryan Bader vs. Corey Anderson have been set for a fall Bellator event. ESPN’s Marc Raimondi was the first to report that Johnson vs. Nemkov and Bader vs. Anderson will take place on October 16 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The Johnson vs. Nemkov fight will be for the promotion’s 205lbs belt that Nemkov currently possesses, while the winner of Bader vs. Anderson will meet the winner of the Johnson vs. Nemkov fight next year to crown a tournament winner and the new champion at 205lbs.
Jose Augusto issues classy statement following knockout loss to Anthony Johnson
Chris Taylor - May 8, 2021
Jose Augusto has issued a classy statement following his second round knockout loss to Anthony Johnson at last night’s Bellator 258 event. Augusto (7-3 MMA) had taken last night’s fight with ‘Rumble’ on short-notice, this after Johnson’s originally slated opponent Yoel Romero was forced off the card.
Anthony Johnson unhappy with "piss-poor performance" at Bellator 258
Chris Taylor - May 8, 2021
Anthony Johnson returned to action for the fist time in over fours years at last night’s Bellator 258 event for a light heavyweight bout with Jose Augusto. Johnson (23-6 MMA) was originally scheduled to fight Yoel Romero at Friday’s event in Uncasville, but ‘The Soldier of God’ failed his medicals and was unable to compete.
Bellator 258 Results: Anthony Johnson KO's Jose Augusto (Video)
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2021
In the co-main event of Bellator 258, Anthony Johnson is set to make his promotional debut and return to MMA against short-notice replacement, Jose Augusto. The fight also serves as the quarter-finals of the light heavyweight grand prix. Anthony Johnson (22-6) is making his return after retiring after he suffered a submission loss to Daniel Cormier at UFC 210 for the UFC’s light heavyweight title. Prior to the setback, he was on a three-fight winning streak with KO wins over Glover Teixeira, Ryan Bader, and Jimi Manuwa. In his career, “Rumble” holds notable wins over Alexander Gustafsson, Phil Davis, Andrei Arlovski, and Dan Hardy. He also lost to Cormier at UFC 187 for the belt as well.
Anthony Johnson excited for "fun" fights in return to MMA at Bellator 258
Adam D Martin - May 7, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight Anthony Johnson is excited about his return to MMA at Bellator 258, saying that he wants to have “fun” fights. Johnson returns from a four-year layoff when he takes on Jose Augusto Azevedo this Friday night at Bellator 258 as part of the Bellator World Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. Johnson was originally targeted to fight Yoel Romero, but after Romero was removed due to a medical issue, Azevedo stepped up on short notice. For Johnson, it’s disappointing because he was really looking forward to throwing down and banging with Romero. But going in there and getting to mix it up with someone like Azevedo is also exciting for him.
Photo | Anthony Johnson lean and mean ahead of Bellator debut
Adam Martin - May 2, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson looks lean and mean ahead of his promotional debut for Bellator next weekend. Johnson was set to make his promotional debut next Friday night against former UFC fighter Yoel Romero at Bellator 258 as part of the promotion’s 205lbs Grand Prix. Unfortunately, Romero had to withdraw from the tournament this week due to a medical issue, which temporarily left Johnson without an opponent. Bellator ended up finding Team Pitbull representative Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros to take the fight on short notice.
Anthony Johnson receives new opponent for Bellator 258, set to face Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros
Alfredo Zullino - May 1, 2021
With Yoel Romero out of his fight against Anthony Johnson, the latter has found a new opponent in Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros for the upcoming Bellator light heavyweight grand prix. The news was originally reported by ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani on Friday.
Anthony Johnson issues statement after Yoel Romero pulled from Bellator light heavyweight tournament
Adam D Martin - April 30, 2021
Anthony Johnson issued a statement after Yoel Romero was pulled from the upcoming Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament. Johnson vs. Romero was one of four scheduled quarterfinal bouts in the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix and it was set to go down next Friday, May 7 for five rounds or less. Unfortunately for both men, the fight will not go on as planned after Romero failed a pre-fight medical scan and was removed from the tournament entirely. That means Johnson currently is without an opponent, though Bellator is expected to name a replacement soon, with Julius Anglickas the favorite to take Romero’s spot in the tourney.
Anthony Johnson: 'Yoel Romero is the most dangerous fighter I’ve actually faced'
Drake Riggs - April 28, 2021
Anthony Johnson has fought a who’s who of tough opponents throughout his career. But he expects his next to be the most dangerous. Set to make his Bellator MMA debut on May 7 as part of the light heavyweight Grand Prix at Bellator 258, “Rumble” squares off with a fellow former multi-time UFC title challenger. It’s “Rumble” vs. the “Soldier of God,” Yoel Romero.
Bellator debuts of Anthony Johnson and Yoel Romero delayed
Adam D Martin - March 29, 2021
The Bellator debuts of Anthony Johnson and Yoel Romero have been delayed until May as the promotion shuffled up its upcoming schedule. Bellator’s Light Heavyweight Grand Prix begins in April with eight of the world’s best 205lbers going at it for the chance to win $1 million and the belt. On April 9 at Bellator 256, the tournament begins when Ryan Bader and Lyoto Machida have a rematch. The two previously met in the UFC back in 2012 with Machida winning the fight by knockout. Nine years later and they meet again under the Bellator banner. The co-main event for that card was supposed to feature Corey Anderson vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradv, but that fight has now been pushed back to Bellator 257 on April 16. That means that the fight between Johnson and Romero, which was originally targeted for that date, has been rescheduled.
Photo | Anthony Johnson looking seriously slimmed-down ahead of Bellator debut
Tom Taylor - March 3, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson is looking seriously slimmed-down ahead of his upcoming debut with Bellator MMA. Johnson retired after a loss to Daniel Cormier in 2017, but has since teased a comeback on numerous occasions. That comeback finally became official earlier this year, when he signed with Bellator to much fanfare.