Anthony Johnson abruptly retires
Anthony Johnson: “I gave my commitment to another job, something that I’ve been wanting to do for a while.”
Top UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Johnson tapped out to Daniel Cormier and abruptly retired.
He voiced long overdue public thanks from the Octagon for UFC broadcaster Mike Goldberg, who was fired in December with barely a mention, after commentating since UFC 15.5: Ultimate Japan on December 21, 1997. And he apologized to Jon Jones that they never got to fight, but said, “Maybe in another life.” And then he quit.
This is something I have to do for me, said Johnson to UFC commentator Joe Rogan, as transcribed by Mike Bohn for MMAjunkie. I love you all … This was my last fight. I didn’t even tell Dana White. I didn’t tell anybody. I didn’t want there to be any distraction. I have to thank you all for being there for me.
I gave my commitment to another job, something that I’ve been wanting to do for a while. It’s not MMA-related or anything like that. It’s just time for me to move on to something else. I’m tired of getting punched by guys and rolling around on the ground with guys and stuff like that. Ain’t nothing fun about that.
Johnson had spoke vaguely in the past about a job he could do with easily a six-figure income and is now presumably going to try to make it a reality.