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Anthony Johnson lost some big opportunities.
MMA Fighting has confirmed with sources familiar with the situation that Johnson will no longer fight Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov on October 16 and will not continue to compete in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix due to an illness that forced him to withdraw from the tournament. MMA Junkie was the first to report the news.
In a statement on Instagram, Johnson said of the disease that “has never been so afraid of anything in my life,” adding that it was not COVID-19.
I really wish I could explain in detail how sick I really am. Just know that I need as many prayers as I can and will see you in 2022 God willing … I’ve never been so scared of anything in my life, but I’ve stayed strong with the support of my friends and family.
The accompanying caption reads as follows:
Asking for nothing but prayers. See you in 2022 I hope. It’s going to be a battle and I’m going to have to dig deeper than ever. I love you all. NOT COVID
Johnson and Nemkov were scheduled to compete in the Bellator 268 Main Event in Phoenix. This fight was to serve as the grand prix semi-final, with a main co-event fight between Ryan Bader and Corey Anderson serving as the other.
Nemkov’s title is on the line throughout the tournament and he successfully defended it against Phil Davis in the first round of the grand prix last April. If Nemkov stays on the October 16 card, Bellator will need to reach out to a substitute group that potentially includes Karl Albrektsson and Julius Anglickas.
On his Bellator debut last May, “Rumble” won his first light heavyweight Grand Prix fight with a second round knockout of Jose Augusto. Johnson was originally scheduled to fight Yoel Romero, but Romero was not medically cleared to compete.
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