Anthony Johnson: “The Only Way To Come Out Of The Retirement Is A Heavyweight Match Against Jon Jones”
Anthony Johnson (22-6 MMA, 13-6 UFC) is the former #1 UFC Light Heavyweight contender. Johnson is also known as “the master” of weigh-in misses, and the fighter who competed in four different weight classes. “Rumble” was especially dangerous from 2014 to 2017, when he defeated some of the greatest 205-pound names.
After his first-round TKO win over Alexander Gustafsson at UFC on Fox 14, Anthony Johnson was slated to fight Jon Jones at UFC 187 for the title.
But Jones was stripped of the belt and suspended from Ultimate Fighting Championship after he took part in a hit-and-run incident where a pregnant woman was injured. Instead, Johnson fought Daniel Cormier at the same event and lost via submission.
“Rumble” announced his retirement from the world of mixed martial arts following his second title shot loss to Daniel Cormier at UFC 210, on April 8, 2017. Since then, Johnson is focused on his marijuana business and bodybuilding.
But did Johnson really retire? There were hints of his potential return from time to time. For example, in November 2018, Ali Abdelaziz said Anthony would be interested to return for a Heavyweight match against Jon Jones.
It seems Anthony Johnson is still willing to end his retirement and meet Jon Jones, but only if the current 205-champ is ready to move a division up. (h/t MMAFighting)
“The only way I’d come out of retirement is if Jon Jones goes to heavyweight, and then that’s when I’ll come out of retirement and fight Jon,” Johnson said. “I mean, that’s the only guy I want to fight, because after him, I can officially say I did my job, my mission is complete. Although I didn’t win a title, I fought the best of the best. I can go to sleep at night.”
But there is one big problem. Johnson might not be in the great shape as he hasn’t trained since his MMA retirement.
“I haven’t trained since my last fight,” Johnson said. “I’ve been so focused on the cannabis and CBD, MMA just, I had to make everything else take a back seat, you know what I mean? I had to give it my undivided attention.”
Do you think Anthony Johnson will end his retirement and fight Jon Jones in the future?
