With UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones now facing Daniel Cormier in January, Anthony Johnson is already thinking ahead. UFC president Dana White claimed Johnson could be next for an odd man out Alexander Gustafsson, but ‘Rumble’ has other plans.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to fight in late October or something like that if there are any fights open,” Johnson told UFC.com.“I was hoping I could fight Ryan Bader in late October and fight [Gustafsson] on the Jon Jones card. That’s my idea.
“People finally want me to start calling people out, you know what I mean? I never did that before. But I’ve always wanted to fight Ryan Bader because I’ve always thought he was a tough fighter.”
‘Upset’ with being left out of a UFC 182 title bout with Jones, Gustafsson resumed training on Monday following an operation on Aug. 5 to repair the torn meniscus in his right knee. Gustafsson claimed he could ready to fight Jones Jan. 3, perfect timing according to Johnson.
“It will be a good fight. Gus is taller than me, but I think we have the same amount of length of reach. So it’ll be interesting,” Johnson said. “Gus likes to move a lot and I like to stalk people and see what they have to offer. It will be a hell of fight. I definitely want to give the fans what they want to see.
“Hopefully we can make the Jones-Cormier fight, one of those fights where that whole card is like a preview of what the light heavyweights have to offer.”
Johnson also wants a piece of the man responsible for the postponement of Jones’ title defense. Calling Alistair Overeem a ‘bully,’ Johnson says he would love an opportunity to temporarily move to heavyweight.
“If Joe Silva called me up and offered me that fight, yeah, I’d take that and knock his head off,” Johnson recently told Fighter’s Only Magazine. “I would take that fight immediately, without hesitation. And that’s not because I see my long term future at heavyweight either. Not really. But before I retire – which I don’t plan on doing any time soon either – I do plan on fighting at heavyweight a couple of times.
“And, well, right now, Alistair Overeem is the right guy (laughs). I’d love to knock him out. And I’d do it with a big smile on my face too.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘Lawyers are talking to lawyer.’ Scott Coker comments on Eddie Alvarez‘ current status with Bellator. ‘Right now, where it’s at today is, Eddie’s still a fighter under contract with Bellator.’
‘One quick conversation.’ Scott Coker doesn’t believe Gina Carano would sign with Bellator but would be interested in Cris Cyborg if she wasn’t under contract with Invicta.
Countrymen. Junior dos Santos believes Fabricio Werdum has what it takes to beat Cain Velasquez. ‘If he fights like he did the last time, he has a good chance at winning.’
Police report. A more detailed account of the alleged assualt carried out by Jonathan Koppenhaver.
Mayhem. Scott Coker says he would potentially be interested in signing Jason Miller to Bellator. ‘I just hope he’s okay. And if he’s okay, then we can take a more serious step.’
Check out The MMA Hour with Scott Coker, Josh Barnett, Danny Castillo, Krzysztof Soszynski, Din Thomas and Chuck Mindenhall.
MEDIA STEW
Johny Hendricks does the Spartan Race.
Tyrone Woodley gives back.
‘Easy on the eyes and hard on the face.’
All the wrasslin’ you can handle.
Highlights from Cage Warriors 70.
Dana White’s post-fight scrum from UFC Fight Night: Maine.
Long watches.
Knuckle Up #404: UFC Bader-OSP, the Jon Jones Trollery + the sorrows of Gray
…
Phil Davis talks Gameplan for Glover Texeira UFC 179, Cormier, Jon Jones’ eye pokes
TWEETS
Get well soon.
I am, thanks. Hoping to be 101% in 4-6weeks “@JesusPiecex: Hope you’re recovering well @JonnyBones“
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 19, 2014
Mmm, business deal.
This afternoon in Sao Paulo after a meeting w/ @lorenzofertitta and my manager @eduardo_alonso at the @UFC offices! pic.twitter.com/jqiXKthuEy
— Shogun Rua (@ShogunRua) August 19, 2014
Off to China.
Taking off for @VenetianMacao for Le vs Bisping this sat on @UFCFightPass @RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/qjAlmhQOAy
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 18, 2014
Indeed.
Have fun with the #ALSiceBucketChallenge but make sure we build awareness and donate! @alsassociation pic.twitter.com/QnPO8j0V60
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) August 18, 2014
#4Horsewomen got called in 2 help @StephMcMahon w/her #alsbucketchallenge @jessamynduke @RondaRousey @MarinaShafir https://t.co/GkGQo3Q6Ba
— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) August 18, 2014
This definitely trumps the basic ice bucket challenge – doesn’t it?? pic.twitter.com/ptn25s73nK
— Rich Franklin (@RichFranklin) August 18, 2014
Let the conspiracies fly.
Why are only certain girls flying out to Cali after tuf20
— Michelle Ould (@MichelleOuldMMA) August 18, 2014
Just chillin on some tires w/ @kennyflorian & @feliceherrig #tuf20 #teamcookiedog pic.twitter.com/11tawvAZIN
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) August 18, 2014
On Screen Interview 😉 #foxsports1 #losangeles #cali #tuf20 http://t.co/jUG53UNq1E
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) August 18, 2014
HEYYY GIIIIIRL!!! @rosenamajunas http://t.co/aAA80QaeHL pic.twitter.com/ZLpwNhWPbK
— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) August 19, 2014
So many nightmare fuel tweets.
Almost killed this guy tonight he got lucky
— Tim Sylvia (@timsylviamma) August 19, 2014
Should I jump pic.twitter.com/eyo316D4es
— FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) August 17, 2014
Just chipped my tooth eating ice cream with chocolate chips………. and they say fighting is dangerous
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) August 19, 2014
“@bartender_talk: @TomKongWatson photobombed my selfie at #ufcbangor pic.twitter.com/u8NJxEbdT5” Genius!
— Thomas E Watson (@TomKongWatson) August 17, 2014
Ebersole out?
Nice.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Aug. 18 2014)
Mirsad Bektic out, Clay Collard vs. Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Dos Anjos
cancelled Ruslan Magomedov vs. Richard Odoms at UFC 177
Sheldon Westcott out, Shinsho Anzai vs. Alberto Mina at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Le
Valerie Letourneau out, Jessica Andrade vs. Larissa Pacheco at UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski 2
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.