Anthony “Rumble” Johnson made a definitive statement Saturday night in Newark, New Jersey, knocking out top light heavyweight contender Ryan Bader in less than 90 seconds. The win was impressive enough to put him right back in the mix for a title shot vs. Daniel Cormier, but the champ said during the telecast that Johnson may be waiting a long time.
Cormier is going to have his next bout announced soon, and he’ll almost assuredly be facing Jon “Bones” Jones, the former champion who never lost his belt in the octagon. Jones was stripped of the title due to his behavior outside the octagon, and Cormier won it vs. Johnson in a matchup for the vacant belt. Cormier, who serves as an announcer for UFC when he’s not fighting, said he expects to beat Jones, and probably fight him a third time before anyone else gets to fight for the strap.
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Johnson told Joe Rogan that he’s content to wait for the Jones-Cormier situation to sort itself out. "Yep, that's the biggest fight of my life. If they want to make me wait that long, I'll definitely do it," Johnson said. "It gives me plenty of time to get ready for whoever."
Johnson was scheduled to fight Jones for the title when he was suspended by the UFC, with Cormier filling in as a late replacement. Johnson said the short notice affected his preparation, and led to mistakes.
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"I was getting ready for Jon Jones not Daniel Cormier. It's a big difference when you're getting ready for 6-(foot)-4 compared to 5-10, 5-11, something like that. I wasn't (ready) but I still went out there and did my best," Johnson said. "When I fought Daniel, the first round I dropped him and I came in and I tried to finish him and I gassed out.”
Johnson also said he’d remain actives, ostensibly risking his position as a top 2 contender. Johnson is also willing to take fights at heavyweight if they are presented to him. "I ain't going to say (I'll wait) no matter what because if somebody gets hurt and they need a replacement, I'll definitely jump in if I'm healthy and able to fight -- that's for light heavy and heavy.”
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