BALTIMORE, Md. — Everything seems to be on track for UFC light heavyweight Anthony Johnson as he returns to the organization where he made his name after being ousted in 2012 for repeated issues related to improper weight management.
Johnson will face Phil Davis at UFC 172 on Saturday, a bout that will take place at least 35 pounds above where he once fought inside the Octagon as a welterweight. That would seem like quite the leeway for Johnson to be able to operate. In all likelihood, it is, as Johnson told MMA Fighting on Thursday he weighed 211 pounds that morning.
Still, if he fails to make weight on Friday, which would mark the fourth time that’s happened for Johnson in the UFC and the fifth in his mixed martial arts career, the consequences will be severe.
“I hope so,” White responded when asked if he believes Johnson has changed from the fighter who lost to Vitor Belfort at UFC 142 in January 2012 after failing to make the 185-pound middleweight limit. “I hope he makes weight. I wish he was 205 [pounds] today.
“If he doesn’t make weight this time,” White warned, “I promise you he’ll never be back in the UFC.”