Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Clubber Lang would be proud.
Heavyweight championship? Six-figure payday?
Nah, Anthony Johnson just wants to hurt people, which is why he’s contemplating a summer 2020 return to mixed martial arts (MMA), the sport for athletes who love to inflict pain, but don’t feel like spending their holidays in the slammer.
How do you think we ended up with Greg Hardy?
Like the “Prince of War,” Johnson (22-6) also has a dubious past when it comes to violence against women (watch your yoga mat around this guy) but doesn’t get nearly as much heat as the former Gridiron great because the promotion has big brooms and heavy carpets.
“We have to meet with the UFC some more,” Johnson told The Mac Life about his ongoing negotiations. “We have to go over things and just figure some stuff out but it’s all looking good so far. I was trying to shoot for April-May but maybe June-July. We’ll see. But whenever I come back I’m going to make sure it’s known. I want to come back and showcase everything and fight and just hurt people.”
Johnson, 35, abruptly retired from combat sports following a submission loss to Daniel Cormier at UFC 210 back in early 2017, a surprising turn of events when you consider his only two losses at 205 pounds came against the former champ.
“Rumble” holds knockout wins over Alexander Gustafsson and Glover Teixeira, just to name a few.
In the two-plus years Johnson has remained inactive, he’s certainly kept himself busy outside the cage. First there was the cannabis facility, then the bodybuilding career, followed by his ambassador role in bare-knuckle boxing … heck, he even carved out some time to become homeless.
One thing is for certain, Johnson won’t be able to make his UFC return until his current restraining order expires in February.