Anthony Johnson was not happy with his performance in the Bellator 258 co-main event.
Anthony Johnson is not happy with his ‘piss-poor performance’ against Jose Augusto in the Bellator 258 co-main event.
Despite finishing ‘Gugu’ in spectacular fashion with a one-punch KO ‘Rumble’, who returned to the cage after a four-year hiatus, is furious that he got dropped in the first round.
“(I’m) pissed,” Johnson, who was dropped by an injured Augusto in the first round, told MMA Junkie. “He hit me. I don’t mind getting hit, but I got hit and I dropped. I mean, what the hell? That ain’t me. That was a piss-poor performance on my part. I’m better than that. I know I’m better than that. You guys know I’m better than that. I’m not going to call it a lucky shot – he hit me. He caught me slipping. He got in on me. That was all on me and I’m pissed at myself that he hit me.
“I’m getting mad at myself. That was a dumbass performance.”
Although Johnson didn’t mention it, he’s more than likely angered at the fact that he got wobbled by an injured opponent. Augusto injured his hand off a punch in the first round but almost finished Johnson in a wild exchange. Rumble survived the round and came back strong in the second, finishing Augusto with a massive overhand right in one of the only come-from-behind victories of his career.
Johnson will advance to the semi-finals of Bellator’s light heavyweight grand prix where he will face reigning champ Vadim Nemkov, whom he says it will be an honor to fight.
“Fighting Nemkov, though – that’s an honor to fight him. He’s a beast. He’s the most complete fighter of this tournament. He can strike, can wrestle, can submit people fairly easy. I’m a big fan of his. You’re only as good as your last performance. If I fight Nemkov, I definitely have to be better than I was tonight – and I will. I know that.”