Anthony Johnson Willing to Wait for UFC Title Shot
It seems all but guaranteed that Anthony Johnson will get the next crack at the UFC light heavyweight title. He’ll even wait it out for an extended period of time if he has to.
Johnson blasted away at Ryan Bader at UFC on FOX 18 on Saturday evening, winning in devastating fashion with a first-round finish due to strikes. The win propelled Johnson into the title talk, but current champion Daniel Cormier is expected to face former title holder Jon Jones as early as spring. Once they’re done, Johnson will likely be next, but the wait could be as long as eight months.
That’s just fine with “Rumble.”
“That’s the biggest fight of my life. If they want to make me wait that long, I’ll definitely do it,” Johnson said at the UFC on FOX 18 post-fight press conference. “It gives me plenty of time to get ready for whoever.”
Johnson was once preparing to challenge Jones for the title, but the then-champion found himself in legal trouble following a hit-and-run accident that left a pregnant woman with a broken arm. Cormier stepped in for Jones and fought Johnson for the vacant title when the champ was stripped of the belt. Cormier won the fight and has since held the title, adding a split decision win over Alexander Gustafsson.
Recommended Articles
A UFC official at the press conference revealed that an announcement for a title fight between Cormier and Jones is expected in a couple days. The bout will be a rematch of their January 2015 tilt, a fight where Jones was the victor and Cormier suffered his first career loss.
As for who he prefers to face, Johnson said he’ll be ready for whomever comes out on top between the current champ and former title holder.
Either way, Johnson said he fully expects to one day face Jones, belt or not, because of their competitive personalities.
“Jon and I will fight one day,” Johnson said. “We have mutual respect for each other. We never talk trash about each other. Every time we see each other, we show each other love.
“I think we definitely want to challenge each other and see what we’re made of. We’re just two alpha males like that, that are just competitive.”
