Heading into biggest fight of his career, Tony Johnson copes with his brother’s suicide

As Tony Johnson was in his final preparations for this Friday’s main event against Cheick Kongo, he got a most dreadful phone call. It was news that his little brother, William Johnson, had committed suicide in Cleveland, where he lived. Just like that, Johnson went from punching a heavy bag to the receiving end of one of life’s heaviest blows. That was over Labor Day weekend, just two weeks before his scheduled fight at Bellator 161 in Cedar Park, Texas. Johnson traveled from Tennessee to Ohio for the viewing, and spent time with his grieving parents in Cincinnati. He processed everything as fast he could as he helped organize the memorial. He grieved along with his family and asked a lot of unanswerable questions. He tried to remain a pillar for those who expect it of him, though his bereavement hollowed out a place in him that will remain there for a long while. Still, even with everything upside down, he never considered backing out of the fight — Johnson took his brother’s passing as a reminder to seize the moment. “It’s definitely more motivating, man,” Johnson told MMA Fighting. “It teaches me, you may have problems but somebody may have way worse problems. So at this stage, enjoy life. It’s definitely motivation, and it’s a wake up call just to enjoy life and cherish today. You’re never promised tomorrow. That’s what I’m doing now. I’m enjoying life, and I’m taking it all in.”The 27-year-old William, it turns out, was battling depression. Tony, just like many others who knew William intimately, didn’t realize it until it was too late. Everything came as a surprise.”No one knew,” he says. “He was hiding his tears behind the smile. But yes, he was depressed, and nobody knew through that. We talked every once in a while, but not as much as we should have. But at the end of the day, it’s unfortunate. “It was a tragedy, but it’s life. That’s life, and life will hit you hard. Nothing hits you as hard as life. I have to find the strength to just get up and keep going.”Tony, a massive heavyweight who carries the nickname of …

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