Former UFC light heavyweight Anthony Johnson announced his partnership with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) last night (Sat., Feb. 2, 2019) during the promotion’s pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast for BKFC 4: “USA vs. Mexico” in Cancun, Mexico.
BKFC also provided the above message and picture via Facebook.
By the looks of the teaser photo and the sounds of the initial social media reaction, some may have thought Johnson was returning from retirement to obliterate some brave soul with his bare hands. Instead, the bulked up knockout artist is signing on to become an ambassador of sorts for the growing bare knuckle movement, per ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
Regarding Rumble Johnson signing with Bare Knuckle FC, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz, Johnson isn’t fighting for them. It’s an ambassador type of role. He’s still under contract with UFC.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 3, 2019
Johnson also clarified his role with the following messages, stating that he’ll be working in “Fighter Relations:”
Listen I’m not fighting for Bare Knuckle…
Dope organization and I can say that because I’m here at an event now. My job is FIGHTER RELATIONS ONLY.
Who was the 1 that put it out there that I’m fighting?— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) February 3, 2019
Thanks to Bare Knuckle for giving me the opportunity to work with them. I’m looking forward to helping this organization grow!
Fighter Relations is a perfect fit for me…. https://t.co/c6JONDYNWi— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) February 3, 2019
Shucks. That would have been fun.
In any case, it’s nice to see Johnson staying busy in the world of fighting after taking a hiatus and growing his own medical marijuana business. Johnson’s long track record of knocking people silly kind of goes hand-in-hand with the whole “bare knuckle” thing so it seems like a match made in combat heaven.
And who knows. Maybe Johnson will get the itch to return to UFC after being around the carnage that BKFC offers. If it’s an itch “Rumble” can’t scratch then maybe it’s time for a showdown with Jones.