UFC veteran Anthony Johnson has been pleading for a return to the UFC since the spring. Now, the veteran fighter has taken a definite step to let the MMA world know that he is serious about competing in the octagon again.
The fighter has re-entered the USADA test pool, which is a requirement for all athletes in the promotion.
Brett Okamoto revealed that the 36-year-old will return to compete in the light heavyweight division. He tweeted, “Break: Anthony Johnson will re-record the UFC’s mandatory drug testing program this week pending a comeback, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz. Currently, the plan is to come back as a light heavyweight. ”
Breaking: Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) will re-record the UFC’s mandatory drug test program this week pending a comeback, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz (@ AliAbdelaziz00). Currently, the plan is to return as a light heavyweight. pic.twitter.com/5sclYSSaUF
– Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 18, 2020
This means ‘Rumble’ will return to the same division where he had reasonable success. He won ten fights at light heavyweight and earned a shot at the title on two occasions.
He joined Daniel Cormier through submissions in both 2015 and 2017. After his second title loss, Johnson announced his retirement from the sport.
Back from Anthony Johnson will spice up the light heavyweight division
Certain fans will see Anthony Johnson’s return immaculately timed as it follows Jon Jones leaving the lightweight heavyweight championship. His presence in the division will add yet another name among a series of signers who have been praying for the better part of the decades.
Read: PANTS: Jon Jones Vacates Light Heavyweight Championship
‘Rumble’ joins Dominick Reyes, Jan Blachowicz and Thiago Santos in the list of fighters who can make a legitimate claim to the title.
Although fans do not expect him to get a title shot immediately, he would get a high ranking opponent and have a chance to work his way to the gold.
Anthony Johnson did not reveal when he directed his first fight. Given his fighting history, however, it will be an absolute slugfest against whom he struggles. This is because ‘Rumble’ claimed 16 of its 22 victories by T / KO.
How excited are you to see Anthony Johnson make his long-awaited return to the UFC? Who do you think the UFC will agree to on his comeback, which should be in February as per USADA’s six-month policy of testing?
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