Anthony Johnson made headlines last month when he put on a social media campaign to challenge Alexander Gustafsson. Gustafsson agreed to the bout last week, but not before making comments that got under Johnson's skin.
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Gustafsson, a former top contender for the UFC light heavyweight championship, was upset at the UFC's decision to pass him over and give Daniel Cormier a shot at champion Jon Jones in January. He initially dismissed Johnson's call out, saying "Rumble" needed a few more wins before the two can fight. Those comments did not sit well with Johnson.
"To me, that's what made it personal," Johnson told MMAFighting.com on Monday. "That's what made it personal, him saying that. He doesn't have to be impressed with me, but saying that I need a few more fights to get to him or something like that, in my opinion, dude, nobody knew who you were until you fought Jon. You were just an average Joe, just like me, until you fought Jon. You gave Jon a great fight, now the whole world knows who you are. You're like an overnight celebrity.
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"That's what happens when you go in there and fight you're a-- off, but don't try to belittle me," Johnson continued. "You didn't win; don't make it seem like you're the champion and you can say those type of things. That kind of got to me, like he's just the head honcho when he isn't, he lost to the head honcho."
A bout agreement has yet to be signed, but both fighters have an idea of when they would like to meet. Johnson said he wants to fight again before the end of 2014, possibly at December's UFC on FOX event in Phoenix, AZ. Gustafsson is still recovering from a torn meniscus and said he would be ready to return by January. If possible, Gustafsson vs. Johnson would be the perfect co-main event for the Jan. 3 title fight between Jones and Cormier at UFC 182.
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