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
Michael Bisping
Utterly shocked and saddened by this. RIP. Sincere condolences to all his family and loved ones. https://t.co/y9PGfRa9JI
— michael (@bisping) November 13, 2022
BJ Penn
RIP Rumble 😢💔 https://t.co/TdxI6kS2Gh
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) November 13, 2022
Belal Muhammad
Man this is heartbreaking 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/8aoEyToKFP
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 13, 2022
Jon Anik
💔
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) November 13, 2022
Mick Maynard
Brutal news
— Mick Maynard (@Mickmaynard2) November 13, 2022
Cris Cyborg
❤️🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/nqJEF4CaiQ
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) November 13, 2022
Matt Brown
RIP 🙏🏻 https://t.co/Fojwm55bNS
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) 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
Renato Carneiro
Rest In Peace my man. You will be miss champion 🙏🏾 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CM0jjUHMIg
— Roan Jucao (@jucao) 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
Gilbert Burns
💔💔💔😭😭😭 RIP @Anthony_Rumble pic.twitter.com/HH6YqXNJAL
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) 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
Henry Cejudo
Rest in peace Rumble Johnson 🙏❤️ https://t.co/6xmrtg0ZUu
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) November 13, 2022
Ryan Loco
today sucks pic.twitter.com/zaivioavmA
— Ryan Loco (@RyanLoco) November 13, 2022
Kelvin Gastelum
Absolutely heartbreaking
MMA lost a great one https://t.co/bPrxOGQu1Q— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) November 13, 2022
Chris Weidman
RIP Anthony Johnson. So sad 😢 pic.twitter.com/XPicS2jlkn
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) 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
Shanda
Man hearing the news of @Anthony_Rumble 😭💔.
One of the most amazing, kindest humans I had a pleasure to know /work with during my time with UFC. A look back at something fun we did with @tryguys back in 2015. #RIPRumble https://t.co/Ng6lHDq9Ac pic.twitter.com/8s6uxfAiR7— Shanda (@shanda) November 13, 2022
Megan Olivi
Anthony always treated me with so much kindness and respect. RIP Rumble 🕊 https://t.co/CQr4XcKY59
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) November 13, 2022
Dave Sholler
RIP @Anthony_Rumble. So sad to learn of your passing. Much love to your family, teammates and friends. Fortunate to have traveled the world with you. This one hurts. pic.twitter.com/EPdO4VsmwN
— Dave Sholler (@DaveSholler) November 13, 2022
Julian Marquez
Same, I’m absolutely gutted right now. 😞 https://t.co/MJUAvTh4Rp
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) November 13, 2022
Casey O'Neill
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) November 13, 2022
Scott Coker
I absolutely loved Rumble Johnson and am devastated to hear of his passing. I will never forget him. https://t.co/mcC4eoyP5f
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) November 13, 2022
Megan Anderson
Heartbreaking to hear 🥺 gone too soon.. 🙏🏻 https://t.co/fqfzF3Uk8k
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) November 13, 2022
Yoel Romero
I recovered and now my heart is broken because you won’t be back 💔 pic.twitter.com/Iq0u9q1rCX
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) November 13, 2022
Gilbert Burns
💔 R.I.P Anthony Johnson 💔🙏🏾😭 pic.twitter.com/lgu4kJnlqo
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) 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
Aleksandar Rakic
Gone to soon.
Rumble used be a nightmare for everyone at Light Heavy Weight.
Rest in peace.#rumbleyoungmanrumble https://t.co/ONtsuwMpQ7
— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) November 13, 2022
Adrian Yanez
I remember jumping out my seat when this happened.. damn.. sucks. https://t.co/cSgIDrNEgx
— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) 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
Mike Goldberg
Saddened beyond words! @Anthony_Rumble was a man I was blessed to call my friend, 38, just devastating RIP Comrade! pic.twitter.com/i5FqKFVfp2
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) November 13, 2022
It brought me to tears back then and it just did once again, thank you so much for sharing! I remember watching it live, one of the most cherished moments of my life https://t.co/t09dSYQ0nQ
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) November 14, 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
Dan Hardy
Rumble in Peace, my friend.
Such a huge loss… pic.twitter.com/c7QY7BRNS1
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) November 14, 2022
Rashad Evans
“Rumble Young Man Rumble”R.I.P Lil Bro! I will miss you tremendously in the physical form but I know the spirit that binds us will always be connected. I’ll see you again in the place of no space and time. Love you my brother @Anthony_Rumble #anthonyrumblejohnson pic.twitter.com/VWeNgEn7pR
— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) November 14, 2022
