Anthony Johnson (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
(Hi folks, most of you know that the news comes a little later as my day job keeps me busy, but I’m a little behind due to a few late meetings. I just want to thank you all for coming to us for the news.)
I don’t think anyone in the world of mixed martial arts would have seen this one coming, even from a mile away.
At the Friday weigh-ins for UFC 142, co-main event fighter Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson, who normally competes at welterweight and was making his middleweight debut against opponent Vitor Belfort, hit the scales at an amazing weight of 197-lbs for the bout. A full eleven pounds over the 186-lbs allowable limit.
The anger on the face of Zuffa CEO Lorenzo Fertitta (on the right side of the attached photo) pretty much says it all.
Johnson has had a history of missing weight as a welterweight fighter, with many critics calling for ‘Rumble’ to move up to the middleweight division. He’s come in overweight twice as a welterweight weighing 177.5 pounds at UFC 76 and 176 pounds at UFC 104.
Well he hasn’t impressed anyone in his middleweight debut by coming in at 197-lbs.
Belfort, who has expressed his excitement at competing in front of his fellow countrymen numerous times, did agree to contend the fight at light heavyweight but with one stipulation. Johnson would have to weigh-in again on fight day at 2pm in the afternoon and would have to come in at no more than 205-lbs, or the fight was off.
UFC president Dana White commented on the situation on FUEL TV, expressing his displeasure at Johnson’s “unprofessional” behaviour.
“Rumble Johnson is not on weight today, and when I say he’s not on weight he’s way off weight. This is not the first time this has happened with Johnson. He moved up to 185-pounds so this wouldn’t happen to him at 170 pounds, and here we are in the same position. Belfort came in like a professional on weight, and Anthony Johnson comes in as a total unprofessional, way overweight. The stipulation is, Vitor does not want him to weigh more than 205 pounds by tomorrow. So we will see how this plays out. He’ll weigh in today and have to weigh in tomorrow. As a fighter, you are a professional. You are contracted to come in at a certain weight.”
“His job is on the line. His job is absolutely on the line, win or lose.”
Johnson has been fined 20% of his fight purse and will be fighting for his job “wins or lose.”