Glenn Robinson, the manager of suspended light heavyweight Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, remains optimistic regarding a return to the organization.
After his wins over Phil Davis and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in his UFC return this year, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson went from UFC washout to one of the scariest fighters in the organization.
He may have been only one win away from a UFC light heavyweight title fight when he was suspended last month after it was revealed domestic abuse allegations were filed against him. The timing couldn’t have been worse, when the leading sports story was about the NFL’s Ray Rice knocking out his fiance in an elevator.
Johnson’s manager, Glenn Robinson, said in a report on UFC Tonight that Johnson (18-4), has a hearing at the end of the month and he’s “optimisitc” about it. Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC did not respond to questions updating Johnson’s status.
Johnson is on indefinite suspension pending results of a third party investigation ordered by UFC to look at the veracity of of different claims against Johnson.
The company has announced a zero tolerance policy on domestic abuse cases
Johnson is currently ranked as the No. 5 contender in the light heavyweight division after a 44-second knockout over Nogueira on July 26 in San Jose.
Dana White said that at the time the company suspended him, they had just completed talks for a Johnson vs. Alexander Gustafsson fight. Such a fight would have likely led to the winner getting a title shot against the winner of the Jan. 3 Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier title fight.