Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson’s cause of death revealed as MMA world grieves for beloved star

Anthony JohnsonTragic news struck the MMA world today as it’s now become known that beloved star Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson has now passed away at only 38 years of age. Fans, fighters, and media everywhere are mourning his tragic death. However, what wasn’t immediately clear was the reason behind it. As many have known, Anthony Johnson had […]

Anthony Johnson

Tragic news struck the MMA world today as it’s now become known that beloved star Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson has now passed away at only 38 years of age. Fans, fighters, and media everywhere are mourning his tragic death. However, what wasn’t immediately clear was the reason behind it.

As many have known, Anthony Johnson had been sick for some time now. Over a year, in fact. Taking to Instagram in 2021, the star made a brief story where he explained that he was afraid for his well-being, and wished he could divulge just how sick he really was. Why he didn’t want to open up about it remains a mystery, but one can assume he didn’t want people to feel bad for him and also maybe didn’t want to scare his fans and family.

Anthony Johnson’s cause of death revealed

Per Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole, ‘Rumble’ passed away due to “organ failure due to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, which is a rare disorder of the immune system.”

Dana White commented on the situation, saying: “He was always a great kid. He was always in fun fights and he had that one-punch KO power that not many people ever had. He was a good human being. I send my condolences to his family.”

In September of 2021, ‘Rumble’ first disclosed his illness. “Not asking for anything but prayers,” he wrote. “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 last competed under the Bellator banner in May of 2021, where he scored a knockout victory over Jose Augusto Azevedo. Known for his outrageous power, ‘Rumble’ will go down as one of the most exciting and hardest-hitting light heavyweights to ever grace MMA.

What’s your favorite Anthony Johnson moment?

MMA world reacts to the passing of former UFC title challenger Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson at 38 years old

MMA World, Anthony 'Rumble' JohnsonMMA world mourns over the passing of former UFC two-time light heavyweight title challenger Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson at just 38 years old. Johnson enjoyed a stellar run in the UFC after making a successful debut in Jun. 2007. He gained a reputation for being a deadly striker in the welterweight division along with possessing unreal […]

MMA World, Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson

MMA world mourns over the passing of former UFC two-time light heavyweight title challenger Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson at just 38 years old.

Johnson enjoyed a stellar run in the UFC after making a successful debut in Jun. 2007. He gained a reputation for being a deadly striker in the welterweight division along with possessing unreal knockout power.

Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson passes away at just 38 years old

Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson stepped away from the UFC for a brief hiatus before returning as a light heavyweight for his second stint during 2014-17. Johnson decided to go up to 205 pounds in his comeback and earned victories over former champions and notable opponents, such as Glover Teixeira, Ryan Bader, Alexander Gustafsson, and Phil Davis.

Johnson had been suffering from health complications for a long time. He was scheduled to get back inside the cage in Sep. 2021 but was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed illness. Last month, his manager Ali Abdelaziz issued a concerning statement asking fans to pray for Johnson.

It was confirmed this evening that Johnson passed away at 38 years old.

MMA world pays tribute to the death of a legend

Following the news of Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson’s passing, tributes came pouring in from the MMA community.

Renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani weighed in, writing, “Horrible news: Anthony “Rumble” Johnson passed away today. He was 38 years old. Johnson had been battling an illness for quite some time. One of the hardest hitters and most talented fighters in MMA history. Gone way too soon. May he rest in peace.”

Former two-division champion Daniel Cormier weighed in: “Rest Easy my brother. For a guy who struck fear in so many peoples heart Anthony Johnson was a caring person. From random text to check ins during loss. What a person he was, Rumble will be missed. Sometimes life doesn’t seem fair. Horrible news #RIP #Rumblesquad @Anthony_Rumble.”

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping wrote: “Utterly shocked and saddened by this. RIP. Sincere condolences to all his family and loved ones.”

Bellator MMA issued a statement on the passing of Johnson: “It is with great sadness 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 during this difficult time.”

Johnson’s manager Ali Abdelaziz weighed in: “I’m heartbroken right now.”

Former MMA world champion Josh Thompson wrote, “Life is never fair … gone way to soon. I’m going to miss you brother.”

UFC welterweight Michael Chiesa tweeted: “RIP Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. One of the most prolific KO artists our sport has ever seen. My prayers go out to his family and everyone affected by this tragedy. ”

UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney wrote, “Rumble Johnson passed away. The MMA community lost a legend and I will continue to pray for his family.”

Mikey Thomas wrote: “Rip an MMA Legend ‘Rumble’ Anthony Johnson [1984-2022].”

MMA World Mourns Death of 2x UFC Title Challenger Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson

The MMA world is in complete shock, as word broke that former light heavyweight UFC title challenger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson has tragically passed away. Known for his devastating knockout power that set the light heavyweight division on fi…

The MMA world is in complete shock, as word broke that former light heavyweight UFC title challenger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson has tragically passed away. Known for his devastating knockout power that set the light heavyweight division on fire in the back half of the 2010’s, facing Daniel Cormier for the title once in 2015 and…

Continue Reading MMA World Mourns Death of 2x UFC Title Challenger Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson at MMA News.

Yoel Romero Out Of Bellator Debut Against Anthony Johson

RomeroBellator 258’s co-main event matchup between former UFC fighters Yoel Romero and Anthony Johnson has been postponed after Romero failed to clear pre-fight medical testing. According to the statement by Bellator, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson will remain part of the Belltaor Light-Heavyweight Grand Prix facing an alternative opponent “as soon as possible”. The matchup was set […]

Romero

Bellator 258’s co-main event matchup between former UFC fighters Yoel Romero and Anthony Johnson has been postponed after Romero failed to clear pre-fight medical testing.

According to the statement by Bellator, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson will remain part of the Belltaor Light-Heavyweight Grand Prix facing an alternative opponent “as soon as possible”.

The matchup was set to be the organizational debut for both fighters with Romero leaving the UFC in 2020 after a failed title bid against Israel Adesanya, and Rumble returning from his retirement in 2016.

Whoever was to win this pivotal matchup would continue on in the Grand Prix facing off next against current Bellator Light-Heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov who moved forward after defeating Phil Davis at Bellator 257.

On the other side of the bracket sits the former Bellator double champion Ryan Bader who will face off against former UFC fighter Corey Anderson later in the year.

As it stands there has been no word on who will replace Romero and face Johnson in the Light-heavyweight Grand Prix, but Romero will have to sit on the sidelines for a few more months before he can reapply for clearance and gear up to make his Bellator debut.

Aside from this fallout, the event will continue as planned with the headliners Sergio Pettis and Bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta to headline the night.

Anthony Johnson Explains Decision Behind UFC Return

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is all geared up to make his return to the UFC after three years away. Johnson was a force in the UFC light heavyweight division back from 2014 to 2016, tearing through the weight class with his vicious knockout pow…

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is all geared up to make his return to the UFC after three years away. Johnson was a force in the UFC light heavyweight division back from 2014 to 2016, tearing through the weight class with his vicious knockout power. However, in the only two title opportunities of his UFC career, “Rumble” […]

The post Anthony Johnson Explains Decision Behind UFC Return appeared first on MMA News.

Dana White Says Anthony Johnson Will Get Top-10 Opponent In UFC Return

Anthony Johnson has been hinting about a return to the UFC for quite some time now. He has talked about getting back into the USADA pool and possibly cutting down to light heavyweight again. Although there is no timeframe on when he will return to the …

Anthony Johnson has been hinting about a return to the UFC for quite some time now. He has talked about getting back into the USADA pool and possibly cutting down to light heavyweight again. Although there is no timeframe on when he will return to the Octagon, he will be getting a top-ranked opponent according […]

The post Dana White Says Anthony Johnson Will Get Top-10 Opponent In UFC Return appeared first on MMA News.