Anthony Johnson closer to UFC comeback after entering USADA testing pool

Anthony Johnson has been talking about a UFC return for quite some time, and now he’s taken the first major step to making it happen.

According to the most recent U.S. Anti-Doping Agency list released Sept. 10, Johnson recently took his first test. It signals that the former UFC light heavyweight title challenger is back in the USADA testing pool and could be cleared after a six-month period, which means he’d be eligible to compete as soon as February 2021.

“Honestly, I miss the sport,” Johnson said in August. “I miss the sport. I miss competing. I know at one point, I was against guys coming back from retirement. You just see them get mopped up. B.J. Penn came back, got mopped up. I’ve seen everyone that came back out of retirement get mopped up. I just don’t want to be one of those guys to get mopped up, but I still feel good. I have no injuries.”

Johnson, 36, hasn’t fought since April 8, 2017, when he lost by submission to then-champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 210. Afterward, Johnson announced his retirement in the cage.

In the three-plus years since, Johnson got into the medical marijuana business and has worked as an ambassador for Bare Knuckle FC. His physical appearance changed drastically as he put on weight, but Johnson has been seen training recently with the intention of returning to compete at 205 pounds.