Former UFC heavyweight contender, Anthony Johnson will return to Octagon after rumblings in the last few months for resuming his career. Now the plans have changed and according to the news on Wednesday, Anthony Johnson has left UFC for signing an agreement for a multi-year to start fighting in Bellator MMA. Officials have confirmed the same to MMAWeekly.com.
The move is amicable and a part of slimming the roster which Dana White, UFC president stated was due to come at this year’s end. According to Johnson’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Anthony Johnson has already signed for Bellator MMA. Fans will see him there in April or late March.
Johnson will be fighting at light heavyweight or heavyweight. Ali added that he and Anthony would appreciate the opportunities provided to them by Hunter Campbell, the UFC, and Dana White. Anthony is excited to start a new chapter of his career with Bellator MMA.
Anthony Johnson’s UFC History Had Been A Roller Coaster Ride
Johnson, now 36, had his better half of the career fighting in UFC. He entered the Octagon around 2007. Johnson’s stats are 7-4 during the initial tenure. He knocked out six out of seven opponents whom he defeated. Later he shifted to middleweight thereby finally exiting UFC following his loss in the hands of Vitor Belfort in 2012. He won six bouts including four knockouts during his time outside Octagon at heavyweight and light heavyweight before he finally returned to the UFC(2014).
He completed 6-2 in his 2nd UFC tenure where he fought in the light heavyweight category exclusively. Anthony Johnson knocked out 5 out of 6 opponents that he defeated which included Ryan Bader, Bellator champion in the light heavyweight and heavyweight category.
After losing out to Cornier in 2017 in UFC 210 he declared his retirement. Considering athlete years Anthony Johnson is at the end of his career. He has failed to win UFC gold. All eyes are set on his return to the Bellator banner where there is a possibility of a rematch against Bader.
