Anthony "Rumble" Johnson made quite an impression against Ryan Bader when they met for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on Fox 18 in New Jersey, winning via knockout and thus elevating him as the number one contender to the UFC light heavyweight title currently held by Daniel Cormier.
It was the second straight win for Johnson since losing to Cormier back in May. At that time, he was originally scheduled to face Jon "Bones" Jones for the title. But Bones had off-ring issues that led to his arrest and would eventually be stripped of the title.
To sum it up, Johnson was preparing for Jones and not for replacement opponent Cormier. With a whole lot world of difference, Rumble prepared for the wrong person and the outcome was him losing to Cormier at UFC 187.
Now, however, he promises to avenge that loss, although he may have to wait and see first whom he will face.
Jones and Cormier are expected to figure in a rematch which could be announced soon, according to MMAFighting.com. This means that Johnson will have to keep tabs as well on who is the eventual champion for that match and prepare.
He admits that the two are entirely different fighters, meaning preparations will be different.
He is also aware that with no timetable, there is no definite date when his opportunity for the title may come. With that said, Johnson is not closing his doors on other fights.
Rumble made it clear that he is also open to other fights while he is waiting for the results of the Jones vs. Cormier tiff. He is ready to step in for anyone in the light heavyweight or heavyweight divisions if the UFC would ask him to do so.
Johnson has never been known to back down from a challenge and, as he points out, it is still another paycheck for him.
