Two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson, who retired from the sport unexpectedly in April 2017, has opened up about his decision to quit the sport — and what it would take to bring him back.
“Rumble” will be remembered for being one of the scariest competitors to ever step foot inside the Octagon knocking out the likes of Glover Teixeira, Ryan Bader, Jimi Manuwa and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. The 34-year-old challenged Cormier twice for the title during his time in the UFC losing on both occasions by rear-naked choke after landing heavy shots on the champ early.
On a recent episode of the “Into the Weeds” Podcast, Johnson recalled why he decided to call it quits on his career (transcription via MMAJunkie):
“Being in the cage and fighting — this happened during the fight, I think after I knocked somebody out. I don’t remember who it was,” Johnson said. “I remember looking at Dana on the other side of the cage and thinking, ‘Damn, I just put in all this work, and I’m getting the victory and feeling like a winner, but the dude on the other side of the cage is celebrating more than me right now, because he’s not taking one punch, he’s not running one mile, not doing one sit-up or push-up, and he’s making a grip of money.’ I was like, yeah, it’s time for a career change.”
Johnson has made it known in the past that he would be open for a one-off return to the Octagon to fight 205-pound champion Jon Jones, although it would need to be at heavyweight as Johnson’s physique has changed significantly since his retirement from the sport as a result of his weightlifting regimen.
The pair were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 187 where Jones was to defend his title against “Rumble” but it never happened, as Jones was stripped of his title after a hit-and-run incident.
“The only way I’d come out of retirement is if Jon Jones goes to heavyweight, and then that’s when I’ll come out of retirement and fight Jon,” Johnson said. “I mean, that’s the only guy I want to fight. Because after him, I can officially say I did my job, (and) my mission is complete. Although I didn’t win a title, I fought the best of the best.”