Former UFC Fighter Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson has died

Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, an MMA light heavyweight champion of age 38, has died. He had been suffering from an illness for the past year. He was suffering from organ failure due to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Bellator MMA announced this on Sunday through social media. They said, "It is with great sadness that 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."

Anthony started his career in the UFC in May 2007, and since then he has had 17 knockouts and 6 decisions. He retired from the UFC in 2017 but came back for one bout with Bellator in 2017. Ever since, his health problems worsened. During his journey in the UFC, Johnson came to be known as a powerful puncher, and he competed in three weight classes. Among his fans, he was also a favourite for his aggressive, striking-based approach in MMA ( mixed martial arts).

Johnson gave signs about his illness in September 2021 through Instagram, saying he needed as many prayers as he could get as it was not COVID. Later, on May 17, Johnson posted that he had gotten news from doctors that there had been improvements. In late October, while talking to ESPN, his manager said that he is going through some health problems and is not doing well.

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani through Twitter confirmed the news: "Horrible news, Anthony "Rumble" Johnson passed away." He was 38 years old. He had been battling an illness for a long time. one of the hardest hitters and most talented fighters in the history of MMA. gone too soon. "May he rest in peace."

UFC President Dana White spoke about his death, saying, "He was a great kid. He was always in fun fights and had that great punch power that not many people can ever have. He was a good human being. Condolences to the family."

Daniel Cormier, a two-time Olympian and MMA fighter took to social media to express his grief, saying, "For a guy who struck fear into so many people's hearts, Anthony Johnson was a caring person." He further added, "From random texts to check-ins during loss, what a person he was—life can be so unfair sometimes."