Anthony “Rumble” Johnson single-handedly crushed Alexander Gustafsson‘s dreams and title-bombed the UFC in the same night.
Would you believe he actually felt bad for doing it? During the UFC on Fox 14 post-fight presser, Johnson admitted he felt bad for being the one to make Gustafsson cry. He felt bad for being the one responsible for Gustafsson’s dreams being “shot to hell.”
It was class displayed at the highest level. For months, Johnson was treated as the final stepping stone for the UFC’s blockbuster rematch between Gustafsson and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The bout even took place in Gustafsson’s backyard, the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. A rout was a foregone conclusion.
The often-used phrase in combat sports is to expect the unexpected. No one was prepared for the unexpected when it happened in the heart of Sweden in front of thousands. The Mauler got mauled in two minutes and 15 seconds.
Johnson answered the call emphatically in the first round with a TKO, forever shedding his mid-tier status. This reincarnated beast proved to be the top contender in the light heavyweight division.
Johnson felt bad for leaving Gustafsson in a pile of broken dreams—until now.
Speaking with Swedish MMA, Gustafsson claimed he never got an opportunity to show his potential. He believes he’d “win over Anthony Johnson six out of seven days.” The latter comment was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
There was a different tone in Johnson’s response. He posted on Instagram:
I’m big on respect in this sport, so I give it and expect it back. Some ppl can’t handle a ass whooping like a man. You loss to Jon you talked trash after, you loss to me and you talk trash now After showing respect at first.
So this is dedicated to you from me and that 6 out of 7 days…Like I said I need only one to end your life and career @alexthemauler I never showed you any disrespect ever and now you say this. That’s some low class stuff right there if any class at all Happy #TBT Alex.
In case fans were worried about Johnson being distracted, he sent out another post, reminding the world that his focus is solely on Jones.
Gustafsson is slated for a return bout against Glover Teixeira on June 20 at UFC Fight Night 69. Meanwhile, Johnson will receive his long-awaited shot at UFC gold on May 23 against Jones in the headliner of UFC 187.
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for FanRag Sports and co-founder of The MMA Bros.
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