Former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski faces intense backlash after joking about Anthony Johnson's death in an interview.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight titleholder Andrei Arlovski issued a public apology after facing severe online backlash for an appalling remark regarding the death of his former opponent, Anthony "Rumble" Johnson.
During a recent interview with David Guttman, Arlovski reflected on their 2013 bout at World Series of Fighting 2, where Johnson secured a unanimous decision victory after breaking the Belarusian fighter's jaw.
While discussing the matchup and his health, Arlovski made a controversial statement about being alive while his former opponent passed away, according to information published by mmamania.
Backlash Over Anthony Johnson Comments
The controversial remark immediately generated heavy criticism across social media platforms from fans and industry figures alike. The 47-year-old fighter faced widespread condemnation for bringing up Johnson's tragic passing in the context of their past bout.
"Rumble" Johnson passed away in November 2022 at the age of 38 following a prolonged and courageous struggle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The MMA community heavily mourned the loss of the devastating puncher, making Arlovski's comments particularly sensitive.
Andrei Arlovski Issues Lengthy Apology
Following the intense wave of digital backlash, Arlovski took to social media to publish a lengthy statement addressing the controversy and attempting to clarify his controversial remarks about the 2013 loss.
Arlovski revealed that he has personally battled cancer three times in his own life, explaining that those harrowing medical experiences fundamentally changed his perspective on simply being alive and surviving.
Language Barrier and Cancer Perspective
Addressing the offensive nature of his statements, the former UFC heavyweight champion pointed directly to a language barrier while taking full responsibility for how his words ultimately sounded to the public.
"English is my second language," Arlovski wrote in his statement, adding that words sometimes fail to fully express what is in his heart or head, before offering a direct apology to Anthony's grieving family and loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Andrei Arlovski say about Anthony Johnson?
Andrei Arlovski made a controversial remark about his 2013 opponent, Anthony Johnson, stating that he was still the winner of their bout because he is alive and Johnson is dead.
How did Anthony Johnson pass away?
Anthony "Rumble" Johnson passed away in November 2022 at the age of 38 after a prolonged and courageous battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Why did Andrei Arlovski apologize?
Andrei Arlovski apologized after facing intense online backlash from the MMA community, explaining that English is his second language and that his cancer survival battles shaped his perspective on life.
When did Andrei Arlovski and Anthony Johnson fight?
Andrei Arlovski and Anthony Johnson faced each other in 2013 at World Series of Fighting 2, where Johnson won a unanimous decision after nearly finishing Arlovski in the first round.
