Anthony Johnson has had a good run so far in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight division so far, although he knows nothing is forever.
Johnson is best remembered for facing Daniel Cormier back at UFC 187 for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title, a result of the title being stripped from Jon Jones back in May 2015.
Right now, he can line himself up for another title shot, although it will have to go through several things. One is that the same man who beat him, Cormier, would be putting the title on the line against the returning Jones. The best he can hope for is get to the top of the heap of fighters vying for the title.
Johnson will start that move when he faces Ryan Bader at UFC on Fox 18 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Jan. 30. A win by "Rumble" could prime him up to be the next number one contender.
Despite an expected wait, Johnson bares that he is giving himself three more years before calling it quits. Johnson is, apparently, looking out for his future, wanting to settle down with his family and enjoy life. At some point, he wants to live life without having to worry about the consequences of his UFC career which includes getting hurt and, of course, staying fit for potential fights, as he discussed via MMA Junkie Radio.
Johnson has been in the UFC since 2007 and initially competed in the welterweight division. After some struggles of making the weight, he eventually reinvented himself as a light heavyweight division where he holds wins over fighters like Alexander Gustaffson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
Against Bader, he finds himself facing a pretty formidable opponent. Bader is on a five-fight winning streak and just like Johnson, is setting his sights on a possible title shot.
