Anthony Johnson: ‘I’ll Wait A Year Like Vitor If I Have To’
UFC light-heavyweight Anthony Johnson fought his way to the top of the divisional stack with some thoroughly impressive wins. Beating Phil Davis by decision, and swiftly knocking out Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Alexander Gustafsson proved that “Rumble” had come of age.
His scheduled opponent at UFC 187, and light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones could learn a thing or two from Johnson. Recently shoved in to the limelight again for his antics, “Bones” was reported to have been involved in a New Mexico hit-and-run. He was also alleged to have fled the scene, leaving a 21-year old pregnant girl injured. Drugs were also found on the scene.
“Bones” has since handed himself in, but only after the police upgraded his arrest warrant to felony status. Talking with Ariel Helwani during UFC Tonight, “Rumble” says he is willing to wait for Jones if the UFC pulls him from their scheduled UFC 187 bout on May 23rd:
“Nothing’s changed, I’m still training hard, staying focused, staying on the grind. Like I said, whoever they give me, whatever they throw my way, I’ll be ready no matter what.”
“I only want to fight for the title,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’ve worked my way up to being the No. 1 contender, and I plan on staying that way. Unless it’s for a title, I don’t want to be like Vitor and wait a year. But if I have to, I will.”
Once again Jones has thrown the MMA world in to turmoil, with the year’s biggest PPV (pay-per-view) card at stake, and a deserving contender like Johnson potentially being left without an opponent. The question is, how will the UFC spin this one off?
For Anthony Johnson, he may well become an unwilling victim with Jones’ latest escapades, or perhaps an interim title could be made? Either that, or it may be a vacated strap being fought for on May 23rd. Whatever the case, it sounds as if “Rumble” will be ready to go.
