Anthony Johnson delivered the biggest shot of UFC 202 when he stopped Glover Teixeira in just 13 seconds Saturday night.
“Rumble” is now the likely candidate to test Daniel Cormier’s reign as UFC light heavyweight champion later this year.
The 32-year-old Johnson (22-5) has now won three straight – all via finish – since an early 2015 loss to Cormier.
“Champions always come back and I’m trying to be a champion,” Johnson said during an appearance on the FOX Sports 1 post-fight show. “I will do everything differently (vs. Cormier the next time). I will die to get that belt. I want that gold. I want that strap.
“It was his fight last time; it’ll be my fight next time.”
Just seconds into the Teixeira fight, Johnson saw an opening for his powerful uppercut. When he connected, that was it, as the Brazilian and former title challenger went down in a heap on the canvas.
“He’s a pressure fighter, comes forward and leaves something open,” Johnson said. “It was just my night. He was a hell of an athlete. We both like to fight and we live by the sword and die by the sword.
“Backing up and throwing an uppercut is just what we do.”