Anthony Johnson, a former two-time UFC championship contender, died on Sunday at 38.
Details of Johnson’s death were limited when the news came. Johnson’s health difficulties were well known, but the gravity of his predicament didn’t become evident until his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, urged the MMA world to pray for the “Rumble” last month.
“I want everybody to pray for him. Pray for Anthony. He’s not doing well,” he said of Johnson’s health. “They’ve [Bellator and Scott Coker] been supporting him [Anthony Johnson]. You can not imagine how much support they’re giving them and they didn’t really have to.”
On Sunday, news of Johnson’s death broke. The former fighter died of organ failure due to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
“Lymphoma occurs when the lymph-node cells or the lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing cancerous cells that have the abnormal capacity to invade other tissues throughout the body.”
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potentially lethal systemic inflammatory disease.
“HLH occurs when histiocytes and lymphocytes become overactive and attack the body rather than just bacteria and viruses. Histiocytes are phagocytes—cells that engulf and destroy pathogens.”
Johnson was famous for his knockout punch. 17 of his 23 career victories were via knockout. In his octagon debut in 2007, “Rumble” finished in 13 seconds. He fought in the UFC as a welterweight, middleweight, and light heavyweight. Johnson last competed for Bellator MMA in May 2021. He knocked off José Augusto Azevedo in the second round.