Skip to content

Anthony Johnson retires after losing rematch to Cormier

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC / UFC / Getty

To the surprise of just about everyone even remotely involved in the combat sports world, Anthony Johnson has called it a career.

After dropping his light heavyweight title rematch to Daniel Cormier by second-round submission at UFC 210 in Buffalo, N.Y. on Saturday, an emotional "Rumble" announced his retirement during his post-fight interview, revealing he'd committed to an undisclosed venture unrelated to the hurt business.

Johnson hangs up his gloves leaving fight fans wondering what might have gone down had he and the indomitable former champion Jon Jones ever met in the Octagon, the cliffhanger eliciting a warm salute from he to "Bones" - who was sitting cageside - before exiting stage right.

The 33-year-old fan favorite's first UFC stint was as riddled with weight management issues at welterweight and middleweight as it was with highlight-reel knockouts, but he shed the baggage upon rejoining the promotion as a light heavyweight in the spring of 2014, compiling three straight victories over contenders Phil Davis, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and Alexander Gustafsson to earn a shot at the then-vacant strap opposite Cormier at UFC 187.

Rumble fell short in his first bid, succumbing to a rear-naked choke in the third round, but rebounded as only a man with his deadly mitts could, starching Jimi Manuwa, Ryan Bader, and Glover Teixeira before faltering in his second effort to claim UFC gold on Saturday.

The Georgia native heads for greener pastures with a knockout reel that would make even the mightiest of men cower in fear, a UFC record of 13-6, and a professional slate of 22-6.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox