Anthony Johnson Still Not Cleared For Bellator Return, Reveals Scott Coker

Anthony Johnson may not fight again for a little while.

Johnson was supposed to face Vadim Nemkov in the light heavyweight semifinals but was forced to pull out of the fight with an undisclosed illness. Now, according to Bellator President Scott Co…

Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson may not fight again for a little while.

Johnson was supposed to face Vadim Nemkov in the light heavyweight semifinals but was forced to pull out of the fight with an undisclosed illness. Now, according to Bellator President Scott Coker, “Rumble” is still dealing with that and remains out.

“I talked to him about a week ago and we had a very good conversation,” Bellator president Coker told MMA Junkie. “Without getting too much into his medical condition, he’s got to worry just about being healthy first. Fighting will always be there. I told him to keep doing what he’s doing, keep listening to the doctors and keep at it. We’re going to be here, we’re not going anywhere. If you get cleared at some point, we’ll definitely have you back.

Anthony Johnson
Image Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea of USA Today Sports

“I think he has a little ways to go, to be honest, and we’re going to be there rooting him on. But until he gets clearance – I don’t look at it like he’s going to be fighting in six months or four months or eight months,” Coker continued about Johnson. “Let him take his time, let him get healthy and when he gets healthy we can have a conversation. If it’s a year from now, 18 months from now, or six months from now, we’ll get at it. But until then, 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.”

Anthony Johnson had a successful Bellator debut back in May at Bellator 221, where he knocked out Jose Augusto in the opening round of the grand prix. It marked his first fight since UFC 210 where he was submitted by Daniel Cormier for the UFC’s light heavyweight title.

In his career, Rumble holds notable wins over Glover Teixeira, Ryan Bader, Alexander Gustafsson, Andrei Arlovski, Phil Davis, and Jimi Manuwa. He is also a fan-favorite due to his one-punch KO power, so the hope is he will be able to fight sometime in 2022.

Who would you like to see Anthony Johnson fight when he returns?

Continue Reading Anthony Johnson Still Not Cleared For Bellator Return, Reveals Scott Coker at MMA News.

Scott Coker Provides Update On Anthony Johnson’s Bellator Return

Anthony JohnsonThere is still some time before we see Anthony Johnson return to a Bellator cage. Johnson hasn’t competed since a come-from-behind second-round knockout win over Jose Augusto at Bellator 258 back in May. The victory moved him to the light heavyweight grand prix semifinals where he was set to face current champion Vadim Nemkov. However, […]

Anthony Johnson

There is still some time before we see Anthony Johnson return to a Bellator cage.

Johnson hasn’t competed since a come-from-behind second-round knockout win over Jose Augusto at Bellator 258 back in May. The victory moved him to the light heavyweight grand prix semifinals where he was set to face current champion Vadim Nemkov.

However, an undisclosed illness forced Johnson out of the fight with Nemkov defeating Julius Anglickas who stepped in as the alternate.

Johnson later revealed the following:

“Really wish I could go into detail about how ill I truly am. Just know I need as many prayers as I can get, and I’ll see you in 2022, God willing…Never been this afraid of anything in my life, but I’ve remained strong with the support of friends and family.

“Not asking for anything but prayers ?? See you in 2022 hopefully ??This is gonna be a battle, and I’m gonna have to dig deeper than I ever have before.Love you all #RumbleSquad NOT COVID”

Scott Coker: Anthony Johnson Has A Little Ways To Go

Unfortunately, it looks like “Rumble” will remain on the sidelines for a bit longer as Bellator MMA president Scott Coker provided an update on his return.

“I talked to him about a week ago and we had a very good conversation,” Coker told MMA Junkie. “Without getting too much into his medical condition, he’s got to worry just about being healthy first. Fighting will always be there. I told him to keep doing what he’s doing, keep listening to the doctors and keep at it. We’re going to be here, we’re not going anywhere. If you get cleared at some point, we’ll definitely have you back.

“I think he has a little ways to go, to be honest, and we’re going to be there rooting him on. But until he gets clearance – I don’t look at it like he’s going to be fighting in six months or four months or eight months. Let him take his time, let him get healthy and when he gets healthy we can have a conversation. If it’s a year from now, 18 months from now, or six months from now, we’ll get at it. But until then, 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.”

Are you excited to see Anthony Johnson eventually return to action?

Anthony Johnson Criticizes Paulo Costa For Refusing To Make Weight

Anthony JohnsonBellator Light Heavyweight Anthony Johnson took to Instagram to criticize Paulo Costa for not being able to make weight. Costa was supposed to go up against Marvin Vettori originally in a Middleweight bout, but Costa told UFC officials he would not make weight. The bout was then slated to be at 195, but Thursday Costa […]

Anthony Johnson

Bellator Light Heavyweight Anthony Johnson took to Instagram to criticize Paulo Costa for not being able to make weight.

Costa was supposed to go up against Marvin Vettori originally in a Middleweight bout, but Costa told UFC officials he would not make weight. The bout was then slated to be at 195, but Thursday Costa said he still wouldn’t be able to make that weight. The fight was then moved up an entire weight class and will be held at Light Heavyweight.

Everything was handled in a very unprofessional manner by Costa and it is doubted that he has even tried to make weight. MMA fans on social media have been ripping Costa and have even gone as far as to say, he should give up 50% rather than 20% of his purse to Vettori.

Johnson took part in the public shaming of Costa and took to Instagram to talk about the circus that occurred this week.

” I missed weight 3 times while fighting in the UFC.Even if i knew it would be a struggle I’d still try and make the weight and not be a b*tch and try to do catch outta the blue cuz I was lazy. Costa wants the fame and glory without putting in the work. Bash me all you want but even I didn’t make up excuses or cop out. If he fihgts 205 just stay there… That way there’s no more excuses and nobody will see how lazy he is. Trust me going up in weight is much better and makes life much easier.”

As Johnson said, a move to Light Heavyweight may be the best move at this point in Costa’s career. He obviously is cutting a ton of weight to get down to 185. He was around 211 pounds on Wednesday and the added weight at 205 could do wonders for his power. Costa’s career in the UFC may be up in the air after this fight against Vettori, especially if he losses after this whole debacle. A ton of credit should be given to Vettori for rolling with all these punches before the fight even started.

Do you think Paulo Costa should stay at Light Heavyweight if he wins against Marvin Vettori?

Anthony Johnson Posts Update On Illness

Johnson‘Rumble’ Johnson gave a minor update on his illness on Instagram. On September 18, Anthony Rumble was forced to withdraw from his semi-final grand prix and light heavyweight championship fight with Vadim Nemkov. He did not give a reason, although he did post a somewhat cryptic Instagram post. “Really wish I could go into detail […]

Johnson

‘Rumble’ Johnson gave a minor update on his illness on Instagram.

On September 18, Anthony Rumble was forced to withdraw from his semi-final grand prix and light heavyweight championship fight with Vadim Nemkov. He did not give a reason, although he did post a somewhat cryptic Instagram post.

“Really wish I could go into detail about how ill I truly am. Just know I need as many prayers as I can get, and I’ll see you in 2022, God willing…Never been this afraid of anything in my life, but I’ve remained strong with the support of friends and family,” Johnson wrote.

“Not asking for anything but prayers ?? See you in 2022 hopefully ??
This is gonna be a battle, and I’m gonna have to dig deeper than I ever have before.
Love you all #RumbleSquad NOT COVID”

Nothing more was posted, but on Friday, October 8, Johnson gave a minor update about what he was dealing with on his Instagram. He posted two videos and a picture with a glass of bacteria removed from his stomach.

“Just showing a little bit of what’s been going on. This video is a month old…

When I 1st went to the hospital from being sick they pumped all bacteria from my stomach.This container was the size of a football. No wonder why I wasn’t feeling good but this is only ONE of the reasons and only the 1st pump they did because they did another one days later and I had plenty then.2nd picture is after the 1st pump,” Johnson wrote.

 “All the wanna be Dr’s on IG it’s nothing like you’re guessing, so don’t waste your time.”

There is no clear answer to what Johnson is dealing with, but thankfully he is feeling better and letting the public know what is going on.

Johnson was replaced by No. 5 ranked Julius Anglickas. He will fight Nemkov for the Bellator light heavyweight championship next Saturday at Bellator 268.

Bellator 268 goes down October 16, 2021, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Footprint Center.

Anthony Johnson Releases Statement On LHW Grand Prix Removal

Anthony Johnson will not be competing in the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix semifinal against champion Vadim Nemkov due to illness. MMA Junkie was the first to reveal Johnson’s removal from the grand prix tournament on Saturday. The illness is not COVID-related, and there is no timetable for Johnson’s return to action at this time. […]

Continue Reading Anthony Johnson Releases Statement On LHW Grand Prix Removal at MMA News.

Anthony Johnson will not be competing in the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix semifinal against champion Vadim Nemkov due to illness.

MMA Junkie was the first to reveal Johnson’s removal from the grand prix tournament on Saturday. The illness is not COVID-related, and there is no timetable for Johnson’s return to action at this time. Nemkov will remain on the October 16 card against an opponent to be determined.

Following the news of Johnson’s removal, he issued the following statement on Instagram:

“Really wish I could go into detail about how ill I truly am. Just know I need as many prayers as I can get and I’ll see you in 2022 God willing…

“Never been this afraid of anything in my life, but I’ve remained strong with the support of friends and family.

“Not asking for anything but prayers. See you in 2022 hopefully. This is gonna be a battle and I’m gonna have to dig deeper than I ever have before. Love you all
#RumbleSquad NOT COVID”

Anthony Johnson earned his spot in the LHW grand prix semifinal by defeating José Augusto via second-round KO in the quarterfinal round at Bellator 258. Nemkov advanced to this round with a unanimous-decision victory over Phil Davis at Bellator 257.

With Anthony Johnson no longer on the card, the updated lineup for Bellator 268 is as follows:

MAIN CARD

Vadim Nemkov vs. TBA

LHW Grand Prix Semifinal: Ryan Bader vs. Corey Anderson – light heavyweight grand prix semifinal

Benson Henderson vs. Brent Primus

Henry Corrales vs. Vladyslav Parubchenko

PRELIMINARY CARD

Karl Albrektsson vs. Julius Anglickas

Brett Johns vs. Erik Perez

Deon Clash vs. Sullivan Cauley

Bobby Lee vs. Nick Browne

Gregory Milliard vs. Javier Torres

Randi Field vs. Sumiko Inaba

Lance Gibson Jr. vs. Raymond Pina

Continue Reading Anthony Johnson Releases Statement On LHW Grand Prix Removal at MMA News.

Anthony Johnson Is Out Of Vadim Nemkov Fight & Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix

Anthony JohnsonFormer UFC light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson dropped out of his bout at Bellator 268 due to an illness according to mmajunkie. ‘Rumble’ (23-6 MMA, 1-0 Bellator) was slated to fight against Vadim Nemkov who is the current light-heavyweight champion. The event takes place on Oct. 16, 2021, in Phoenix, Arizona. Nemkov is 14-2 in […]

Anthony Johnson

Former UFC light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson dropped out of his bout at Bellator 268 due to an illness according to mmajunkie.

‘Rumble’ (23-6 MMA, 1-0 Bellator) was slated to fight against Vadim Nemkov who is the current light-heavyweight champion.

The event takes place on Oct. 16, 2021, in Phoenix, Arizona. Nemkov is 14-2 in his career but has an undefeated record (6-0) with Bellator. Johnson has not only lost his chance to win the tournament but also has lost his shot at the title (Nemkov will defend his title against every opponent he fights in the tournament). There is yet to be a substitution made at this moment for Johnson’s spot, as Nemkov will continue to fight at the event.

Johnson had his Bellator debut back in May of this year. He won via KO of Jose Agusto in the quarterfinal of the ‘Light Heavyweight Grand Prix’. Johnson was dropped in that fight against the Brazilian but came back in the 2nd round to KO him. After the fight, he called his performance a “piss-poor performance”. ‘Rumble’ was supposed to greet UFC alum Yoel Romero in that fight. An eye issue caused Romero to drop out of that fight in May.

‘Rumble’ was excited to fight Nemkov and in his post-fight interview after the Agusto fight said, “Fighting Nemkov, though – that’s an honor to fight him,” Johnson said. “He’s a beast. He’s the most complete fighter of this tournament. He can strike, can wrestle, can submit people fairly easy. I’m a big fan of his.”

Bellator 266 (tonight Sept. 18, 2021) headlining Romero (who was slated to fight Johnson in the tournament) against Phil Davis. A win by Romero could see him filling the spot that Johnson held in the tournament.

Who do you think will replace Anthony Johnson & fight for the title at Bellator 268?