Former MMA fighter Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson dies at 38

Anthony Johnson kicks Daniel Cormier during their light heavyweight title bout at UFC 187, May 23, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, an MMA light heavyweight fighter who went 23-6 in his career, has died. He was 38.

Bellator MMA announced Johnson's death on social media on Sunday. A Bellator spokesman said Johnson had been ill for more than a year.

“The BELLATOR family is devastated by his untimely passing and we send our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time,” the announcement said.

During his career, Johnson had 17 knockouts and six decisions. His last fight was in May 2021.

In September 2021, Johnson posted on Instagram that he needed “as many prayers as I can get” and was in a battle, noting it was “NOT COVID.” On May 17, Johnson posted on Instagram that he had gotten good news from his doctor, saying there were “big improvements.”

But in late October, Johnson's manager spoke to ESPN, saying that Johnson was “going through some health problems right now ... he's not doing well."

Daniel Cormier, a two-time Olympian and MMA fighter, expressed his condolences online, saying “for a guy who struck fear into so many peoples (sic) heart (he) was a caring person.”

“From random text to check ins during loss,” Cormier said. “What a person he was ... sometimes life doesn’t seem fair.”

Johnson fought in the UFC from 2007 to 2017, most notably losing twice to Daniel Cormier in light heavyweight title bouts. Johnson competed in three weight classes for the UFC and established a reputation as a powerful puncher and a fan favourite for his aggressive, striking-based approach in MMA.

Johnson retired in 2017 from the UFC after his second title loss to Cormier, but he returned to competition with Bellator for one bout in 2021 before his health problems worsened.