Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight top contender Anthony “Rumble” Johnson retired from the sport of mixed martial arts after suffering his second loss to Daniel Cormier, earlier this year.
After suffering a second round submission defeat to Cormier, Johnson unexpectedly announced his retirement from the sport. However, the former fighter has since hinted to a potential return to mixed martial arts. It would appear that his potential return may not be with the UFC.
On today’s edition of The MMA Hour, Anthony Johnson revealed that the UFC has terminated his contract. Now the former fighter may act as a free agent, if he chooses to return to MMA.
While Johnson stopped short of confirming he’d return to action, or even if he’d entertain offers outside of the UFC, he did drop that bomb shell on the MMA world.
What’s significant about this revelation is that in prior instances of stars suddenly retiring, the UFC freezes their rights to the fighter, should they return to action. This is done by freezing their contract.
An all out release from contract of a retired fighter is unheard of by the promotion.
