Former UFC title challenger and legendary knockout artist Anthony Johnson has died. He was 38.
News of Johnson’s death began circulating Sunday with social media postings by many prominent figures in the MMA community. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, did not immediately return a message to MMA Junkie to confirm the news, but Bellator, the promotion Johnson most recently fought for, announced his death with a social media post.
According to Yahoo!Sports, Johnson died from organ failure due to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare disorder of the immune system.
Nicknamed “Rumble” when inside the cage, Johnson (23-6) twice fought for the UFC light heavyweight championship against Daniel Cormier in May 2015 and April 2017. He lost both fights by submission. The latter matchup wound up as his retirement bout from UFC competition. He walked from fighting for more than four years.
Johnson returned to MMA under the Bellator banner in May 2021 and earned a knockout victory over Jose Augusto. He was scheduled to fight in the organization’s 205-pound tournament, but withdrew due to an illness that he largely kept private.
In January, Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed to MMA Junkie that Johnson was dealing with health issues and his timeline to return to fighting was unknown.
“Without getting too much into his medical condition, he’s got to worry just about being healthy first,” Coker said. “He’s got to heal up and get healthy because there’s so much more in life than just fighting. I want him to have a long, healthy life, and that’s the most important thing.”
During his time in the UFC, Johnson amassed a 13-5 record. All but two of those wins came by knockout. His list of notable victories includes a 13-second finish of former UFC champ Glover Teixeira, as well as wins over Alexander Gustafsson, Phil Davis, Andrei Arlovski and Dan Hardy.
After news of Johnson’s death surfaced, the MMA community at large posted on social media with memories and reactions. See some of those posts below.
Bellator
🙏 It is with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.
The BELLATOR family is devastated by his untimely passing and we send our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/TqZzN1wquY
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) November 13, 2022
Josh Thomson
Life is never fair … gone way to soon. I’m going to miss you brother. ❤️🙏🏽
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) November 13, 2022
I discovered one of the greatest talents in MMA history outta LA hitting mitts at a small hole in a wall Chute Box gym. I asked him to train with me as I was getting ready for my upcoming fight. He was bigger, he was stronger and he respected that I had a fight coming up.. pic.twitter.com/y3qpqbd9Rb
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) November 13, 2022
Michael Chiesa
RIP Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. One of the most prolific KO artists our sport has ever seen. My prayers go out to his family and everyone affected by this tragedy. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 https://t.co/TYAu2wxn2u
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) November 13, 2022
Terrance McKinney
Rumble Johnson passed away 🥲 the MMA community lost a legend and I will continue to pray for his family 🙏🏾
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) November 13, 2022
John Gooden
Heart breaking to learn of the tragic news that Anthony Rumble Johnson has passed away. I have a poster of him by my desk looking powerful. My thoughtS and prayers are with his family and friends 🙏🏼 RIP
— John Gooden (@JohnGoodenUK) November 13, 2022
Ariel Helwani
Horrible news:
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson passed away today. He was 38 years old.
Johnson had been battling an illness for quite some time.
One of the hardest hitters and most talented fighters in MMA history. Gone way too soon.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/t5mVvRaNih
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 13, 2022
John McCarthy
Crushed and devastated to learn that @Anthony_Rumble has passed away. AJ was one of the good guys, he was a great man with a huge heart. God Bless you AJ, I will miss you my brother. RIP Rumble
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) November 13, 2022
Daniel Cormier
Rest Easy my brother. For a guy who struck fear in so many peoples heart Anthony Johnson was a caring person. From random text to check ins during loss. What a person he was, Rumble will be missed. Sometimes life doesn’t seem fair. Horrible news #RIP #Rumblesquad @Anthony_Rumble pic.twitter.com/HH2SO1dPj7
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 13, 2022
Dan Ige
Incredibly saddened by the news. Rumble, you were one of the coolest and most realest human I’ve ever met. You gave me so much invaluable advice throughout my career and I can’t believe you’re gone. 💔
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) November 13, 2022
Will Harris
Honestly I am holding in my tears, but I am sure they will flow when I least expect it. You were like a superhero to me when I first came around the blackzilians in 2016. You just told me you would make it through this 💔💔 . We will miss you @Anthony_Rumble 🙏🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/wXeD6NrkMQ
— Anatomy of a Fighter (@WillHarrisAOAF) November 13, 2022
Gray Maynard
Can’t believe this. Condolences, love , and thoughts go out to his family. Such a great guy. He will be missed. https://t.co/aV75u6gGUu
— Gray Maynard (@GrayMaynard) November 13, 2022
Glover Teixeira
I am so sad to hear about this news. One of the most scary & tough opponents that I had ever faced and one of the nicest and most humble humans I have ever met. My heart is broken. My condolences to his family. RIP #rumblesquad pic.twitter.com/J527ToOtOO
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) November 13, 2022
Nik Lentz
Damn man. Anthony Johnson was the same age as me. Gone way too early.
Rest easy 🙏
— Nik “The Carny” Lentz (@NikLentz) November 13, 2022
I just saw him a little while back… life goes quick guys. Let the ones you love know it.
— Nik “The Carny” Lentz (@NikLentz) November 13, 2022
Thiago Santos
Very sad day for all of us the MMA community, Great guy, one of the most dangerous fighter of history, Rest in Peace Champ 🙏🏾😞 pic.twitter.com/TImFpJcVrF
— Thiago “Marreta” Santos (@TMarretaMMA) November 13, 2022
Charlie Brenneman
Terrible to hear abt @anthony_rumble passing. He was an invincible force.
I owe him one of the biggest life lessons I’ve ever learned..How to face fear.
He was always kind and polite to me and my family. I even had him on my podcast. It was an honor.
Rest In Peace 👊 pic.twitter.com/8FZF1dNiF2
— Charlie Brenneman (@charliespaniard) November 13, 2022