Anthony Johnson Wants To Return In April; ‘Interested’ In Francis Ngannou Fight

Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson appears to be on the verge of a comeback, but his timeframe for returning might need some adjustments due to the UFC’s strict drug-testing procedures.

Johnson recently told reporters that he wants to return to the UFC in April of next year, but at this stage he has not re-enrolled in USADA’s drug-testing program.

That complicates matters because returning fighters have to be on that program for six months before they are allowed to fight, so ‘Rumble’ will need to act fast if he wants to achieve that goal.

As for who he might face when he does step back into the Octagon, it seems that Johnson will be moving to heavyweight after ballooning up as high as 276lbs during his retirement, and one name that has been mentioned as an opponent is fellow heavy-hitter Francis Ngannou.

Johnson says that’s a fight he can envisage happening in the future, but it sounds like the terms and promotional push would have to be right for him to face the man who he describes as “the scariest dude in the division.”

Ross launched MMA Insight (previously FightOfTheNight.com) in 2009 as a way to channel his passion for the sport of mixed martial arts. He's since penned countless news stories and live fight reports along with dozens of feature articles as the lead writer for the site, reaching millions of fans in the process.