Anthony "Rumble" Johnson has known he will fight for the UFC light heavyweight title on May 23 for quite some time, but until a few weeks ago his challenge was very different. He will be facing Daniel Cormier, an elite wrestler, instead of the more versatile pound-for-pound king Jon "Bones" Jones at the MGM Grand Saturday night.
Jones was suspended for his latest outside-the-octagon infraction, a hit-and-run in New Mexico that left a pregnant woman with a broken arm, and had his title stripped. Despite Jones' pound-for-pound kingship, and Jones' January victory over Cormier, Johnson thinks the latter might be the more difficult challenge.
"This is [Cormier's] second opportunity at a title shot and when people get second chances they come back 10 times stronger and harder," Johnson said.
"He's hungry. He's so determined to win a title and he didn't succeed the first time he had an opportunity. This is his second opportunity. Why wouldn't he come back and give it his all like he did the first time? I think he's going to go absolutely crazy in the fight just to get a title."
As a fighter more proficient on the ground than standing up, Cormier also believes Johnson, the light heavyweight division's most powerful striker, might get skittish if he's taken down on the mat.
"At the core of Anthony Johnson, Anthony's the guy who got submitted by Josh Koscheck. Anthony's the guy that tapped out before Vitor Belfort got the choke in," Cormier said.
Despite those previous losses, Johnson's on a nine-fight winning streak with the last three coming under the UFC banner. He is speaking confidently about his future, and that includes a battle down the road with Jones.
"Yea, of course," Johnson said when asked if he was disappointed he isn't fighting Jones. "Why wouldn't I be? He's the pound-for-pound king. He'll definitely be motivated and try to destroy everybody like he was before."
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