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Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, a former UFC light-heavyweight title contender, passed away at the age of 38.
The American, who joined Bellator last year, had claimed to be ill with a condition that had not yet been made public.
Bellator said: “It is with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson.
“The Bellator family is devastated by his untimely passing and we send our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Johnson took a four-year break from mixed martial arts before returning to make his Bellator debut in 2021.
He has a record of 22 wins and 6 losses towards the end of his UFC career.
He became the first guy in the promotion to record four knockout victories in under a minute thanks to his punching strength.
Johnson twice competed for the light heavyweight title in the UFC, but both times he was defeated by the legendary Daniel Cormier.