LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 22: Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson weighs in during the UFC 187 weigh-in at the MGM Grand Conference Center on May 22, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, an MMA fighter well-known for his stellar knockout record, has died at age 38.
Johnson’s death was confirmed by several prominent figures in the MMA world on social media on Sunday. His cause of death was organ failure due to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare disorder of the immune system, according to Yahoo Sports.
Johnson competed in the UFC in welterweight, middleweight, and light heavyweight divisions. Known as one of the most feared punchers in the sport. He was 3-0 when he debuted in the UFC on June 12, 2007, knocking out Chad Reiner in just 13 seconds in Hollywood, Florida.
“Rumble” scored 17 of his 23 MMA wins by knockout.
MMA’s Daniel Cormier, who faced Rumble in the Octagon shared a special message about his former opponent.
“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.”
Johnson last fought at Bellator 258 in May 2021, scoring a knockout win over José Augusto Azevedo. That earned him a light heavyweight title shot against Vadim Nemkov the following month at Bellator 268, but Johnson went on to withdraw with what was described as an undisclosed illness.
At that time, Johnson shared to Instagram how he wished he could go into detail about how sick he “truly” felt. He asked for prayers and support of friends and family.
He was 38 when he died. May he rest in peace.
