Organ failure brought on by non-Hodgkin lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was the cause of Johnson’s demise. Johnson’s return schedule would be determined by his health issues, Bellator CEO Scott Coker said in a January interview with MMAJunkie.
Without going into too much detail regarding his health, Coker stated, “He’s got to focus on being healthy first.” “There’s so much more to life than just fighting; he needs to recover and get healthy. The essential thing is that I want him to live a long, healthy life.
Following the news of Johnson’s passing, condolences flooded in from all corners of the mixed martial arts community, leaving the fighters devastated.
Rip an MMA Legend 🙏 “Rumble”
Anthony Johnson [1984 – 2022] pic.twitter.com/Q5qIovyhS6
— Mikey Thomas (@MikeyThomas1991) November 13, 2022
Let your brother rest easy. Anthony Johnson was a kind man despite being a man who made so many people shudder. from sporadic texts to check-ins while losing. Rumble was a wonderful person, and we will miss him. Life doesn’t always seem fair. The news is terrible, Cormier wrote.
Read more:
A legendary UFC fighter, Michael Bisping wrote: “Utterly surprised and saddened by this. RIP. My sincere condolences go out to his entire family and friends. Paige VanZant, a former UFC fighter, posted: “RIP legend.”
“RIP Anthony “Rumble” Johnson,” wrote fighter Michael Chiesa. one of the best KO performers in the history of our sport. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those impacted by this tragedy.
Referee John McCarthy expressed his shock and devastation upon learning of Anthony Johnson’s passing. AJ was a good guy who had a big heart. He was a fantastic man. I wish you well and will miss you, AJ. Rumble, RIP. Johnson had two runs in the UFC, the first as a welterweight from 2007 to 2012 and the second as a light heavyweight from 2014 to 2017.
Johnson defeated some star power by defeating Glover Teixeira, Alexander Gustafsson, and Ryan Bader while holding explosives. He was given two chances to win the light heavyweight title but lost both times to Daniel Cormier by submission.
Johnson knocked out Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros in the second round of his final fight at Bellator 258. The victory occurred during the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix quarterfinal round. However, he had to leave the competition owing to an unidentified ailment.