Den före detta titelutmanaren och UFC-veteranen Anthony ”Rumble” Johnson har avlidit vid 38 års ålder.
Orsaken bakom det tragiska dödsbesked var organsvikt på grund av non-hodgkins lymfom (NHL) och hemofagocyterande lymfohistiocytos (HLH). NHL är ett paraplybegrepp för cancer i lymfatiska systemet medan HLH är en sällsynt störning i immunsystemet. Dödsorsaken rapporterades först av Yahoo! Sports
Johnsons bortgång skapade snabbt svallvågor i MMA-världen. ”Rumble” Johnson var ett välkänt namn som spenderade större delen av sin karriär i UFC, där han tävlade i weltervikt, mellanvikt och lätt tungvikt. Johnson fann mest framgång i lätt tungviktsklassen där han utmanade om titeln vid två tillfällen, båda gånger mot Daniel Cormier.
”Rumble” Johnson kom att förlora båda titelmatcherna via submission och pensionerade sig från sporten efter sitt andra nederlag mot Cormier i april 2017. Han kom dock att göra comeback till buren, denna gång i Bellator där han deltog i organisationens lätt tungviktsturnering. Johnson gjorde sin Bellator-debut i maj 2021 då han besegrade José Augusto Azevedo via KO.
”Rumble” Johnson kom att dra sig ur turneringen på grund av sjukdom och hans Bellator-match skulle slutligen bli den sista i en lång och stjärnspäckad karriär.
– Utan att gå in alldeles för mycket i hans hälsotillstånd så måste han fokusera på att vara frisk först, sade Bellator-chefen Scott Coker efter att Johnson dragit sig ur turneringen. Han måste läka och bli frisk först, eftersom det finns så mycket mer i livet än att bara slåss. Jag vill att han ska ha ett långt, hälsosamt liv och det är det viktigaste.
Att Johnson skulle avsluta karriären med en knockout var passande då han var välkänd och fruktad för sin kraft. Trots sin förödande kraft var Johnson en älskad fighter, känd för sin snällhet och goda humör.
– Vila i frid, min bror, skrev Daniel Cormier. För en kille som åsamkade rädsla i så många människors hjärta så var Anthony Johnson en omtänksam person. Från slumpmässig hälsningar till omtänksamma meddelanden efter en förlust. Vilken person han var. ”Rumble” kommer att saknas. Ibland känns inte livet rättvist. Hemska nyheter.
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 #RIP #Rumblesquad @Anthony_Rumble pic.twitter.com/HH2SO1dPj7
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 13, 2022
Ta en närmare titt på reaktionerna och hyllningarna efter Anthony ”Rumble” Johnsons bortgång här nedan.
HETAST JUST NU
- Jon Jones om Israel Adesanyas förlust på UFC 281: ”Otroligt glad!”
- Khamzats löfte till nya mästaren – efter UFC 281: ”Enkla pengar”
- VIDEO: Nate Diaz i bråk med Dillon Danis – efter UFC 281!
MMA-världen sörjer UFC-veteranen Anthony ”Rumble” Johnson
? It is with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.
The BELLATOR family is devastated by his untimely passing and we send our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/TqZzN1wquY
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 13, 2022
Former UFC fighter Anthony “Rumble” Johnson has died at the age of 38. pic.twitter.com/eZYBZ8x2lv
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 13, 2022
Horrible news:
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson passed away today. He was 38 years old.
Johnson had been battling an illness for quite some time.
One of the hardest hitters and most talented fighters in MMA history. Gone way too soon.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/t5mVvRaNih
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 13, 2022
I am so sad to hear about this news. One of the most scary & tough opponents that I had ever faced and one of the nicest and most humble humans I have ever met. My heart is broken. My condolences to his family. RIP #rumblesquad pic.twitter.com/J527ToOtOO
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) November 13, 2022
Utterly shocked and saddened by this. RIP. Sincere condolences to all his family and loved ones. https://t.co/y9PGfRa9JI
— michael (@bisping) November 13, 2022
RIP Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. One of the most prolific KO artists our sport has ever seen. My prayers go out to his family and everyone affected by this tragedy. ?????? https://t.co/TYAu2wxn2u
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) November 13, 2022
RIP Rumble ?? https://t.co/TdxI6kS2Gh
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) November 13, 2022
Always worked to be a better man. Life can be short . Never forget to enjoy and appreciate! RIP @Anthony_Rumble !#RUMBLEsquad ?? pic.twitter.com/JbdR855nQr
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 13, 2022
Life is never fair … gone way to soon. I’m going to miss you brother. ❤️??
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) November 13, 2022
I discovered one of the greatest talents in MMA history outta LA hitting mitts at a small hole in a wall Chute Box gym. I asked him to train with me as I was getting ready for my upcoming fight. He was bigger, he was stronger and he respected that I had a fight coming up.. pic.twitter.com/y3qpqbd9Rb
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) November 13, 2022
Man this is heartbreaking ??? https://t.co/8aoEyToKFP
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 13, 2022
?
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) November 13, 2022
Rumble Johnson passed away ? the MMA community lost a legend and I will continue to pray for his family ??
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) November 13, 2022
Brutal news
— Mick Maynard (@Mickmaynard2) November 13, 2022
❤️?? pic.twitter.com/nqJEF4CaiQ
— CrisCy₿org.Com (@criscyborg) November 13, 2022
RIP ?? https://t.co/Fojwm55bNS
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) November 13, 2022
Heart breaking to learn of the tragic news that Anthony Rumble Johnson has passed away. I have a poster of him by my desk looking powerful. My thoughtS and prayers are with his family and friends ?? RIP
— John Gooden (@JohnGoodenUK) November 13, 2022
Crushed and devastated to learn that @Anthony_Rumble has passed away. AJ was one of the good guys, he was a great man with a huge heart. God Bless you AJ, I will miss you my brother. RIP Rumble
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) November 13, 2022
?????? RIP @Anthony_Rumble pic.twitter.com/HH6YqXNJAL
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) November 13, 2022
? R.I.P Anthony Johnson ???? pic.twitter.com/lgu4kJnlqo
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) November 13, 2022
Rest in peace Rumble Johnson ?❤️ https://t.co/6xmrtg0ZUu
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) November 13, 2022
RIP Anthony Johnson. So sad ? pic.twitter.com/XPicS2jlkn
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) November 13, 2022
Incredibly saddened by the news. Rumble, you were one of the coolest and most realest human I’ve ever met. You gave me so much invaluable advice throughout my career and I can’t believe you’re gone. ?
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) November 13, 2022
Absolutely heartbreaking
MMA lost a great one https://t.co/bPrxOGQu1Q— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) November 13, 2022
Can’t believe this. Condolences, love , and thoughts go out to his family. Such a great guy. He will be missed. https://t.co/aV75u6gGUu
— Gray Maynard (@GrayMaynard) November 13, 2022
Same, I’m absolutely gutted right now. ? https://t.co/MJUAvTh4Rp
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) November 13, 2022
I absolutely loved Rumble Johnson and am devastated to hear of his passing. I will never forget him. https://t.co/mcC4eoyP5f
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) November 13, 2022
Heartbreaking to hear ? gone too soon.. ?? https://t.co/fqfzF3Uk8k
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) November 13, 2022
I recovered and now my heart is broken because you won’t be back ? pic.twitter.com/Iq0u9q1rCX
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) November 13, 2022
Gone to soon.
Rumble used be a nightmare for everyone at Light Heavy Weight.
Rest in peace.#rumbleyoungmanrumble https://t.co/ONtsuwMpQ7
— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) November 13, 2022
I remember jumping out my seat when this happened.. damn.. sucks. https://t.co/cSgIDrNEgx
— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) November 13, 2022
Very sad day for all of us the MMA community, Great guy, one of the most dangerous fighter of history, Rest in Peace Champ ??? pic.twitter.com/TImFpJcVrF
— Thiago “Marreta” Santos (@TMarretaMMA) November 13, 2022
Saddened beyond words! @Anthony_Rumble was a man I was blessed to call my friend, 38, just devastating RIP Comrade! pic.twitter.com/i5FqKFVfp2
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) November 13, 2022
Sorry to hear one of the coolest guys on the planet just passed away. Thx for all the great fights and many more laughs. Sending prayers to the Rumble family. I'm sorry for y'all loss. pic.twitter.com/BDcd6scnwE
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) November 13, 2022
Just saw Anthony Johnson has passed away, what an absolute gentleman, had the pleasure of being in the red corner all week at UFC Sweden with him, serious craic, Funny guy taken way too soon..
R.I.P my friend. pic.twitter.com/Y8ai4kNmur
— Paul Redmond (@RedserMma) November 13, 2022
Anthony always treated me with so much kindness and respect. RIP Rumble ? https://t.co/CQr4XcKY59
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) November 13, 2022
Honestly I am holding in my tears, but I am sure they will flow when I least expect it. You were like a superhero to me when I first came around the blackzilians in 2016. You just told me you would make it through this ?? . We will miss you @Anthony_Rumble ??❤️ pic.twitter.com/wXeD6NrkMQ
— Anatomy of a Fighter (@WillHarrisAOAF) November 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/RyanLoco/status/1591902562311176193?
