UFC 210 ended with an unexpected announcement from No. 1 light heavyweight contender Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. After losing to champion Daniel Cormier in the night’s main event, the KO artist announced his retirement.
With Johnson announcing his retirement at what is arguably the height of his MMA career, the declaration has pulled a few opinions from UFC’s fighters and fans. Among them, UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier voiced that he doesn’t wish to see the fighter go.
During the UFC 210 post-fight press conference, as transcribed by MMA Junkie, Cormier explained that he wishes to see Anthony Johnson continue his mixed martial arts career.
“It really does suck. I don’t feel like he should walk away. I don’t know what he has going on personally. He said he has something outside of fighting that he needs to deal with. As a person that knows Anthony not only in the fight, but out of the fight, all you can do is try to support him. If he has something bigger to do then he has something bigger to do.
“It will hurt the weight class because he’s a fun guy to watch. People enjoy watching him fight. He’s always knocking people out. It sucks. But we all have journeys in life, and I guess Anthony’s journey is taking him left (as all) us are going right.”
