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UFC pays tribute to Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson during UFC Vegas 65 (Video)

By Thomas Albano

Jan 30, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; Anthony Johnson (black trunks) reacts after defeating Ryan Bader (not pictured) during UFC on Fox 18 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; Anthony Johnson (black trunks) reacts after defeating Ryan Bader (not pictured) during UFC on Fox 18 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UFC airs a video tribute in memory of alumnus Anthony “Rumble Johnson,” who passed away this past Sunday

Six days after the news that Anthony “Rumble” Johnson had passed away after a battle with illness, the UFC aired a special tribute video to him during UFC Vegas 65 — the promotion’s first card since his passing.

The video begins with footage of Johnson, who passed away from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, training in a gym Octagon and making an entrance, discussing the power punching he was well known for.

The video also includes audio from Johnson’s 2017 retirement speech, following his light heavyweight title fight loss against Daniel Cormier at UFC 210.

UFC Vegas 65: UFC airs special tribute to the late Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson

Johnson had two stints in the UFC, first making his promotional debut as a welterweight, coming into the UFC as a 3-0 fighter. His first fight with the UFC at a June 2007 Fight Night event saw him finish Chad Reiner in just 13 seconds.

Johnson went 7-4 in his first tenure with the UFC, scoring wins over the likes of Dan Hardy, Kevin Burns and Charlie Brenneman, but also struggling to make the 170-pound limit.

After an unsuccessful attempt at middleweight against Vitor Belfort, Johnson was released by the UFC in 2012.

After a six-fight win streak, which included time with Titan FC and the World Series of Fighting (now the PFL), Johnson returned to the UFC as a light heavyweight in 2014. In Johnson’s eight UFC fights during his second tenure, he won five Performance of the Night bonuses, scoring vicious finishes against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Alexander Gustafsson, Jimi Manuwa, Ryan Bader and Glover Teixeira.

Johnson challenged for the UFC light heavyweight title twice, both times facing Cormier and coming up short.

Four years later, Johnson defeated Jose Augusto Azevedo at Bellator 258 in what ultimately was his final fight.

UFC Vegas 65: Derrick Lewis vs. Sergey Spivak live results. dark. Next

UFC Vegas 65: Derrick Lewis vs. Sergey Spivak takes place on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV. Follow along with FanSided MMA, who is on site for all your news and highlights.

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