Anthony Johnson set to return to UFC; His manager Ali Abdelaziz confirms the news


Anthony Johnson set to return to UFC; His manager Ali Abdelaziz confirms the news

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Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson, famously known as “Rumble” is just one step closer to coming out of his retirement. He was regarded as one of the hardest-hitting knockout in the past decade.

While speaking with ESPN on Monday, Anthony’s manager Ali Abdelaziz revealed that “Rumble” will re-enter the UFC’s mandatory drug testing program this week. Anthony had withdrew himself from the testing pool back in 2017 when he had announced his retirement. Now, the 36-year-old will have to make himself available for testing for six months before he becomes eligible to fight.

Abdelaziz further revealed that Johnson was intending to compete in the 205-pound light heavyweight division now. Earlier, Johnson has himself stated that he was considering a comeback to UFC.

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Johnson(22-6) had immediately retired in April 2017 after he came up short in a title fight against Daniel Cormier. At that time, he was fighting out of South Florida.

Johnson’s return seems ironic

Jon Jones moving to heavyweight division

However, surprisingly the timing of Johnson’s return seems ironic. His decision comes after Daniel Cormier announced his retirement on Monday. Cormier had defeated Johnson twice in the title fights-once in 2015 and then in 2017. Besides that, Jon Jones has also decided to vacate the light heavyweight division. Anthony Johnson was scheduled to fight Jones in 2015 but had to pull out because of some legal issues.

But Johnson has still expressed his desire to fight Jones “Bones” at some point. If that ever happens, it will be definitely either in the heavyweight or light-heavyweight division.

“Rumble” started his career with UFC back in 2007. He used to fight in the Welterweight division then until the completion of his contract with UFC in 2012. After that, he rejoined UFC in 2014 as a heavyweight. On his return, he won six of his next seven fights. Out of these, he won four through first-round knockout.

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