Anthony Johnson, who starred in UFC and challenged for the light heavyweight title multiple times, has died after battling an illness. He was 38.

Bellator MMA, one of the promotions Johnson was in, announced the former fighter’s death on social media on Sunday. A Bellator spokesman said Johnson had been ill for more than a year.

"The BELLATOR family is devastated by his untimely passing and we send our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time," the company said.

Johnson posted a worrying message in September 2021 that he needed "as many prayers as I can get" and was in a battle that wasn’t COVID-19 related. Johnson then posted in May that he received information from a doctor that he had made "big improvements."