Once retired, Johnson (22-6 MMA, 13-6 UFC), a former UFC light heavyweight title challenger, is back in the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency testing pool in … Anthony Johnson is eligible to return to the UFC’s Octagon in early 2021 after re-entering the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) testing pool. The 36-year-old last fought at UFC 210 against Daniel Cormier; however, the light heavyweight ended up suffering his second consecutive loss to the former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Johnson, 36, withdrew himself from the testing pool in 2017 when he announced his retirement.
In November 2019, Johnson got the mixed martial arts world buzzing when he announced his return to the octagon. It appears that retired UFC fighter Anthony Johnson is taking his next step to return to the promotion as the fighter has reportedly re-entered the USADA testing pool.. Brett Okamoto of ESPN first reported the news.
During a BKFC press conference, Johnson ultimately explains why he decided to make his return despite speaking out against guys making a comeback from retirement (Transcript courtesy of At the moment, there’s not an exact date for Johnson’s return, though it is expected of the veteran to comeback into the UFC. Since then, Anthony Johnson returned to the promotion at light heavyweight, earning two title shots and beating everyone not named Daniel Cormier. The UFC released Johnson in 2012, before re-signing him in 2014. February 2021, Rumble returns.”
We hinted back in May that Anthony Johnson was likely to return and it looks like we were right. Of course recent months have seen him eyeing a return, and dropping some serious weight. If that does indeed happen, it appears it will take place either at heavyweight or not for the light heavyweight championship, at least if it happens any time soon.Johnson made his debut with the UFC in 2007 as a welterweight and fought exclusively in the Octagon until 2012. Cormier, who beat Johnson twice in UFC title fights, announced his retirement on Monday.
WhatsApp. His only kryptonite at light heavyweight proved to be Cormier, whom he lost to in 2015 and 2017. Fighting out of South Florida, Johnson (22-6) retired in April 2017 immediately after … Anthony Johnson is eligible to return to the UFC’s Octagon in early 2021 after re-entering the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) testing pool.In April 2017, the heavyweight fighter came up short in his second shot at UFC light heavyweight gold when he fought former champion, Daniel Cormier. Johnson had previously stated he was considering a return at heavyweight. LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 20: Anthony Johnson celebrates after knocking out Glover Teixeira of Brazil in their light heavyweight bout during the UFC 202 event at T-Mobile Arena on August 20, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Anthony Johnson is set to make his long-awaited UFC comeback at light-heavyweight In the years since 'Rumble' flirted with a move up to heavyweight, yet nothing materialised.
Anthony Johnson explains the reason for his comeback.
According to While Johnson has competed as a heavyweight in the past, “Rumble” mainly got his success throughout the light heavyweight division, with notable wins over Antônio Rogério Nogueira, Alexander Gustafsson, Ryan Bader, and Glover Teixeira.Johnson did challenge for the UFC Light Heavyweight title twice in his career; however, the returning UFC star failed to beat Daniel Cormier on both occasions. Even after he surprisingly retired, he became involved in bodybuilding and packed on a ton more size. It is also the home of 2X UFC Hall of Fame Champion.