Rumble Johnson to Re-enter UFC Drug Testing Scheme This Week, Ahead of Light Heavyweight Return

Mandatory Credit: Esther Lin - MMA Fighting

Two-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson is inching closer to his highly-anticipated Octagon return - with the Georgia native set to renter the United States Anti-Doping Agency's testing pool ahead of a scheduled return to the division.

Johnson shockingly made the decision to call time on his professional career back in April of 2017 - following his second career loss to the recently retired, Daniel Cormier.

The 36-year-old has twice challenged for light heavyweight gold, coming up short on both occasions in third-round rear-naked choke defeats to the aforenoted, Cormier. According to a report from ESPN's, Brett Okamoto - per Johnson's manager, Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz, the knockout puncher is set to make a return to the sport - planning to compete at his prior 205-pound home.

A two stint UFC veteran, Johnson has amassed a combined 13-6 promotional record and is regarded as one of the deadliest knockout artists not just in divisional antiquity, but in the history of mixed martial arts.

With sixteen knockout wins from twenty-two total triumphs, the former welterweight has notched career highlight wins over current two-division Bellator MMA gold holder, Ryan Bader, three-time light heavyweight title chaser, Alexander Gustafsson, one-time challenger, Glover Teixeira, British standout, Jimi Manuwa, 'Minotouro' Nogueira, Phil Davis, and Andrei Arlovski of note.

With one-time scheduled opponent, Jon Jones vacating the light heavyweight crown on Monday night, and recent challenger, Dominick Reyes targeted to meet with Jan Błachowicz with vacant gold possibly up for spoils on September 26th. - 'Rumble' could possibly fast track his way to the light heavyweight summit upon his return.