Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is willing to wait a year to receive his UFC light heavyweight title shot against Jon Jones.
There are concerns the UFC 187 bout, scheduled for May 23, will not take place after Jones was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run incident on Sunday.
Johnson isn’t willing to step into the octagon for anything less than a title shot, as revealed to UFC Tonight (h/t Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting): “I only want to fight for the title. I feel like I’ve worked my way up to being the No. 1 contender, and I plan on staying that way. Unless it’s for a title, I don’t want to be like Vitor (Belfort) and wait a year. But if I have to, I will.”
Rumble suggested he is willing to face anyone, as long as it’s for the belt: “Nothing’s changed. I’m still training hard, staying focused, staying on the grind. Like I said, whoever they give me, whatever they throw my way, I’ll be ready no matter what.”
Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, confirmed Jones’ arrest after he reportedly left the scene of a three-car accident which left one victim with “moderate injuries,” as reported by Al-Shatti. Jones is alleged to have caused the crash by running a red light.
MMA Weekly (h/t Yahoo) reports that drugs were found in Jones’ car: “But more than just being involved in the accident, Jones was said to have fled the scene with a ‘large handful of cash,’ leaving behind marijuana paraphernalia with marijuana in it.”
Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting provided more information:
The UFC is yet to make an official announcement on the forthcoming fight card; however, former star Kenny Florian told Fox Sports 1’s America’s Pregame that major action should be taken if Jones is found guilty, as reported by Steven Marrocco of MMA Junkie: “I think stripping him of the title is appropriate if, of course, these allegations are true.”
Johnson may be forced to miss an opportunity for which he has worked extremely hard to receive. The 31-year-old is on a nine-fight winning streak after impressively beating Alexander Gustafsson in January, making him the most prominent threat to Jones’ title.
Rumble’s last defeat came against Vitor Belfort in 2012. Belfort is still waiting to face Chris Weidman for the middleweight title after the champion’s consistent injury problems have seen two previously scheduled matchups cancelled. Their bout is also scheduled to take place at UFC 187.
Jones’ only career loss came in the 2010 Ultimate Fighter finale against Matt Hamill, but this came via disqualification after he was judged to have thrown an illegal elbow. The 27-year-old has emerged as one of the UFC’s most dominant forces since then, winning 12 in a row and becoming a posterboy for the company.
His recent history is littered with mishaps, though. Jones pleaded guilty to a DWI charge in 2012 and received a $50,000 fine in January for his part in a brawl with Daniel Cormier. It’s likely Cormier would be placed opposite Johnson for the interim belt if Jones is forced to relinquish his title.
One thing’s for sure: Johnson remains ready.
He’s brilliantly worked himself up the UFC rankings in recent years and deserves a chance to go for gold. Witnessing Johnson in a five-round encounter promises to be an exciting prospect no matter whom he faces, but many will still hope to see him face the organisation’s best pound-for-pound fighter in a career-defining challenge.
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