Anthony Johnson returns to the UFC in 2020, as a heavyweight, and wants to face Cigano, says businessman

A. Johnson returns to the UFC in 2020. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook @UFC

One of MMA's most dangerous athletes is back in action. Anthony Johnson, former light heavyweight (up to 93kg.), is in negotiations with Ultimate to rejoin the company's group of athletes. According to the fighter's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Johnson returns to join the heavyweight arsenal and already has a name as a suggestion for the new challenge: junior gypsy. The information was given in a recent interview with 'ESPN'.

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For Abdelaziz, his client must face an elite fighter in the top category so that he can debut in the division with a good victory and soon join the group of possible challengers for the belt, which currently belongs to Stipe Miocic. Among the names mentioned is that of junior gypsy (3rd), former category champion and alistair overeem (7th). The Brazilian is coming off a recent defeat to Francis Ngannou, while the Dutchman is going through a good phase, with two consecutive victories.

Anthony has not played since his setback to Daniel Cormier, which took place in 2017, when 'Rumble' competed for the second time for the light heavyweight title which, at the time, was held by DC. Johnson gained worldwide fame for his impressive physical strength and ability to knock out his opponents.

Among the North American's victims are big names in the sport, such as Alexander Gustafson, Rogério Minotouro e Glover Teixeira. When he left the sport, just over two years ago, the fighter said he was abandoning the sport because he wanted to be able to age healthily.

“You hear things about head injuries. You're damaging your body playing football and stuff like that, but these things can happen just as quickly in mixed martial arts as any other sport because we're constantly hitting each other. I love myself, you know what I'm saying? A lot of guys don't think about that,” said the fighter at the time.

Currently, the athlete is 35 years old. Anthony, in his professional record, has already played on 30 occasions, winning 22 and losing on another six. The North American made his Ultimate debut in 2014, when he beat Phil Davis at UFC 172 in a unanimous decision by the judges. Since then, the fighter has made seven appearances, winning on five occasions.