Anthony Johnson (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Former UFC welterweight, and one time failed middleweight fighter, Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson was cut loose by the promotion shortly after his loss to Vitor Belfort at UFC 142 earlier this month.
Johnson, who had been heavily criticized for missing weight at 170-pounds several times, failed to make weight for his middleweight debut stepping on the scales 11-pounds overweight for the 185-lbs division. At the post fight press conference for the event, UFC president Dana White announced Johnson’s dismissal to the press.
On Thursday, during the UFC on FOX 2 pre-fight press conference, the media had a chance to ask White if ‘Rumble’ was truly banished from the top promotion.
“He needs to go fight somewhere else, get some wins, come in on weight,” White said of Johnson. “He needs to prove to me that he can be a professional, show up on weight and do the things he needs to do. If he does, we can talk.”
White was also asked about another top fighter at 185-lbs who was set free last March in Nate Marquardt, who had issues with high testosterone levels and was released from the UFC on weigh-in day.
The UFC president appeared to soften his stance saying “We’ll see what happens.”
As we’ve seen with other fighters in the past who have had their issues with the promotion and it’s president, such as Tito Ortiz and most recently Miguel Torres, “time heals all wounds.”
Quote via MMAFighting.com