UFC's Anthony Johnson agrees to counseling, donation to women's charity after gym incident

Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson has agreed to attend counseling sessions and donate to a Florida-based women’s charity following a social media rant and incident involving a woman at a gym.

Johnson (19-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) will still fight Jimi Manuwa (15-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) in a light heavyweight bout on Sept. 5 at UFC 191, which takes place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The UFC announced it would investigate a long post Johnson wrote about an incident where he described throwing the woman’s yoga mat when she confronted him for lifting weights close to where she was stretching.

“If you get in my way or any other (athlete’s) way again I’ll throw your yoga mat across the gym AGAIN,” he wrote in the post, now deleted. “Don’t ever run your mouth at me again you won’t win that battle I will. You need more than stretching to help that beat up body.”

Five days after Johnson shared details of the story the UFC released an official statement describing its findings, one of which was that the woman has already accepted an apology from Johnson.

“Following a thorough investigation by a third-party law firm, UFC is extremely disappointed with Anthony Johnson’s recent actions, as the organization does not tolerate behavior of this nature from any athletes under contract with the UFC,” the statement read. “Johnson personally apologized to the woman he verbally offended at a Florida gym last week and for the insensitive comments he made on social media afterwards. The woman accepted Johnson’s apology and indicated a desire to put this unfortunate matter behind them.

“In order to ensure these situations do not happen in the future, Johnson has agreed to participate in counseling and UFC will support him through this process. Johnson has also agreed to make a donation to a Florida-based women’s charity.

Johnson, 31, has repeatedly found himself in hot water after allegations of domestic abuse. In 2010, he pleaded no contest to domestic violence and two other misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to three years’ probation after he allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s house and dragged her up a flight of stairs. He claimed he acted in self-defense.

The UFC suspended Johnson in 2014 and opened an investigation into his behavior after the mother of his child obtained an order of protection and alleged threats and abuse. The investigation concluded after the woman withdrew her order and a judge dismissed a civil case.

One month prior to his return to the UFC in April 2014, MMAjunkie reported that an ex-girlfriend of Johnson’s declined to pursue charges after an incident at a martial arts studio where she worked. Although she declined to press charges, she said she wanted her report to remain public record.

For more on UFC 191, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.