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UFC Fighter Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson Dead At 38

UFC 202: Johnson v Teixeira

Steve Marcus/Getty Images

Leena Nasir Entertainment Reporter
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UFC fighter Anthony Johnson, who fought under the name “Rumble,” died Sunday at the age of 38.

An outpouring of messages on social media indicated that the talented fighter passed away over the weekend, after a battle with an undisclosed disease that he had apparently been fighting for some time, according to TMZ. Details surrounding the disease, and Rumble’s formal cause of death have not yet been released, according to TMZ.

Many prominent figures from the mixed martial arts (MMA) community have shared their grief online, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Michael Chiesa.

“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,” Chiesa wrote on Twitter.

Fighter Daniel Cormier, who faced Rumble in the octagon twice in his career, also paid his respects with a heartfelt online message. “Rest Easy my brother,” Cormier tweeted. “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.” (RELATED: Jennifer Aniston’s Father Dies At 89)

Rumble was ranked #1 in his weight class before he retired. He officially left the UFC in 2020 to join Bellator MMA, according to TMZ.

He was known as a skilled and precise fighter who fought in middleweight, welterweight, light heavyweight and eventually heavyweight in his later years, according to TMZ.