Anthony Johnson: I’m Back Where I Belong, I’m Not Going Anywhere
Anthony Johnson will return to UFC action this weekend, as he squares off against the number four light-heavyweight Phil Davis in the co-main event of UFC 172. ‘Rumble’ has not fought in the promotion since his UFC 142 submission loss to Vitor Belfort; a match preceded by yet another weigh-ins debacle for Johnson and eventually led to his release by the UFC.
‘Rumble’ went on a spree outside the UFC in his time away, and racked up six wins on the bounce that included four knockouts. As he prepares to take on ‘Mr Wonderful’ this Saturday, Johnson muses on Davis’ preoccupation with champion Jon Jones, MMAJunkie had the scoop:
“It doesn’t bother me at all, Phil can believe what he wants to believe. He’s his own person, and he’s his own man, so he’s confident. That’s cool with me. I don’t think he’s doubting me or overlooking me. He’s just really trying to get some press, in my opinion. That’s fine. Everyone has to do their own thing to get press every now and then. I’m not looking past Phil and trying to think about where I belong or where I’m supposed to be or where I’m going to be if I beat him,” Johnson said. “I’m just taking it one step at a time.”
Davis has been relentlessly trash talking about ‘Bones’ in recent months, and seems to be looking to set up a rivalry for a future title shot. Johnson then moved on to the subject of his discrepancies during his first, five-year stint for the UFC:
“I feel like I’m back where I belong, and I’m not going anywhere,” Johnson said. “I’m going to make sure I stay, and we won’t have any repeat of history where I’m screwing up and being a knucklehead and missing weight and not caring. I’m going to make sure I follow the rules this time.”
I suppose we’ll find out whether the ‘knuckle head’ is gone at the weigh-ins for UFC 172, but light-heavyweight is a much more natural weight for Johnson to be competing at. He spent most of his time competing as a welterweight between 2007-12, and it was clearly the wrong weight class for him.
Who takes it, ‘Rumble’ or ‘Mr Wonderful’?
