Anthony Johnson News

Anthony Johnson
Bellator

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
Bruce Buffer

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, Bellator
Bellator

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-Glover-Teixeira
Glover Teixeira

Anthony Johnson congratulates former foe Glover Teixeira on winning UFC title: "You deserve the belt"

Adam Martin - October 31, 2021

Anthony Johnson congratulated his former foe Glover Teixeira on winning the UFC light heavyweight title, telling him “you deserve the belt.” Teixeira submitted Jan Blachowicz in the second round with a rear-naked choke in the main event of UFC 267 to capture the UFC light heavyweight title for the first time at age 42. It is an absolutely incredible story as Teixeira became the second-oldest fighter behind Randy Couture to win a UFC title. What makes it even more surprising is that it was just a few years ago when Teixeira was brutally knocked out by “Rumble” and left for dead by many fans. That was back in 2016, and two fights later, Teixeira got knocked out by Alexander Gustafsson. At that point, he had lost three of five fights and no one could have realistically expected him to ever win the belt. But he’s won his last six straight and is now a champ.

Anthony Johnson, Bellator, Illness, Bellator 268
Bellator

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
Bellator

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
Ryan Bader

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.

Anthony Johnson
Bellator

Anthony Johnson arrested for identity theft in Connecticut following Bellator 258

Adam D Martin - May 11, 2021

Bellator light heavyweight star Anthony Johnson was arrested for identity theft in Connecticut following his big win last weekend. The Daily Voice was the first to report the arrest of Johnson. According to police reports, Johnson illegally used a credit card in November 2019 in order to purchase a round-trip ticket from Newark, New Jersey, to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Johnson was named as the passenger of the ticket. New Canaan police obtained a warrant for Johnson’s arrest, and “Rumble” was taken into custody following his fight last weekend at Bellator 258 where he knocked out Jose Augusto in one of the most exciting MMA fights of the year.

Anthony Johnson
Bellator

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.

Anthony Johnson
Bellator

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
Bellator

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.

Anthony Johnson
Bellator

Anthony Johnson believes new Bellator 258 opponent Jose Augusto is "more dangerous" than Yoel Romero

Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021

Anthony Johnson was supposed to fight Yoel Romero in the quarterfinals of the light heavyweight grand prix on Friday but that is no longer the case. Last week, it was revealed Romero failed his pre-fight medical and was out of the fight against Johnson. The hope was to get a replacement opponent and that ended up being the case as Johnson will face Jose Augusto in the co-main event.

Anthony Johnson vs Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros
Bellator

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
Bellator

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
Bellator

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.

Jon-jones-Anthony-Johnson
Bellator

Anthony Johnson shares prediction for potential Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight

Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021

Former UFC title challenger Anthony Johnson has shared his thoughts on a potential heavyweight bout between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. Ever since Ngannou (16-3 MMA) dethroned Stipe Miocic to become “The Baddest Man on the Planet” at UFC 260, all the talk has been of a potential super-fight with Jones.

Anthony Johnson
Bellator

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.

Anthony Johnson
Bellator

Anthony Johnson shuts down notion that Bellator is inferior to UFC

Tom Taylor - February 24, 2021

Anthony Johnson has a message for anybody who believes Bellator is inferior to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Johnson, who fought for the UFC from 2007 to 2017 and competed for the light heavyweight title two times in the stretch, migrated to Bellator to much fanfare earlier this year.

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