While former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones sorts out his legal matters, Daniel Cormier get another shot at redemption when he faces Anthony Johnson this weekend at UFC 187.
Johnson doesn’t seem to mind.
“I’m excited either way,” Johnson told TMZ this weekend in New York. “I’m still fighting for a title and I’m still getting paid so I’m good.”
Johnson admits he’s disappointed not to be fighting ‘Bones,’ but that he’d happily welcome the former champ back to fighting when if and when he’s ready.
“Yea, of course,” Johnson said of fighting Jones. “Why wouldn’t I be? He’s the pound-for-pound king. He’ll definitely be motivated and try to destroy everybody like he was before.
“He’ll come back bigger, faster, stronger, better than ever.”
Despite the praise for Jones, Johnson believes Cormier is the more dangerous of the two.
“This is [Cormier’s] second opportunity at a title shot and when people get second chances they come back 10 times stronger and harder.
“He’s hungry. He’s so determined to win a title and he didn’t succeed the first time he had an opportunity. This is his second opportunity. Why wouldn’t he come back and give it his all like he did the first time? I think he’s going to go absolutely crazy in the fight just to get a title.”
Johnson faces Cormier for the vacant light heavyweight title May 23 at UFC 187 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘Her technique just sucks.’ Ronda Rousey says Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg is ‘just all ‘roids and muscle and no technique.’
Big. The Nevada Athletic Commission massively overhauls its drug program to included much harsher penalties for all forms of drug use. ‘I think that we’ve just taken this commission to a whole new level.’
‘I just don’t know how the deal could be any better.’ UFC president Dana White defends the Reebok deal and puts heavyweight Brendan Schaub on blast.
‘Less damage, more gold.’ Chuck Mindenhall explains why Frankie Edgar doesn’t need to get knocked down to get back up and win fights anymore.
Money. Dave Meltzer explains how the success of Mayweather-Pacquiao could affect the next string of UFC pay-per-view events.
MEDIA STEW
Countdowns for Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson and Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort.
Frankie Edgar calls out Dana White for that title shot.
Mark Munoz leaves his gloves in the Octagon.
Chris Weidman wants to punch Floyd Mayweather & Justin Bieber.
Travis Browne on the art of the perfect KO.
Rousey in Entourage (with some B-role if you’re into that)
Long watches.
Fight Night Manila: Post-fight Press Conference
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Submission Radio 17/5/15 TJ Dillashaw, Elias Theodorou, John Makdessi + UFC Manila
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Joe Rogan Experience – Fight Companion – May 16, 2015 (Part 2 here)
TWEETS
Victory lap.
Thanks for all the love. Mission Complete! Hats off to @UrijahFaber dude is a stud! Can’t wait to get home to my babies.
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) May 16, 2015
Relaxing with friends day after the @ufc fights. @Alistairovereem @Venumfight @Bridgestone pic.twitter.com/eFSkIRZQ95
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) May 17, 2015
Thank you for your love, care, concern throughout the years! Love every1 mentioned! #Repost… https://t.co/ERxMvdxwS6
— Mark Muñoz (@mark_munoz) May 16, 2015
Earned another victory AND another bonus! @ufc https://t.co/ydQrFPqIu3 @SAN_Nutrition
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) May 16, 2015
I received lots of love and support for my last fight. Even some hate. But I’m not the one who calls the fight…. http://t.co/R7hbhUweZ4
— Phillipe Nover (@PhillipeNover) May 17, 2015
A win feels so much better coming off of a loss, especially a devastating one. That being said, I think Ill stick to this winning thing.
— kajan johnson (@IamRagin) May 16, 2015
Better luck next time.
Few bumps & bruises, but all n all a good time. Congrats to @frankieedgar @ufc awesome seeing… https://t.co/bvMu7zjQaI
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) May 16, 2015
I know that’s 3 in a row… but 2 split decisions & giving it my all tonight… I’m ready to go again right now. Talk soon @danawhite
— Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) May 16, 2015
@danawhite I appreciate it. I wanna fight in Japan in September. Whoever I face this time, I will knock him out cold. pic.twitter.com/kh4f6Erm8p
— ??? (@NAMYUICHUL) May 17, 2015
Cheers! life is still good! congrats @LevanMakashvili for the win!
— Mark Eddiva (@MarkEddiva) May 17, 2015
Cant fight faith, very heartbroken but i believe in Gods plan.
— Dhiego Lima (@DhLimaMMA) May 16, 2015
Executed a technical game plan. Fight metric & damage on his face don’t lie. No disrespect to my opponent but I won. pic.twitter.com/njdYHPyb9F
— Nolan Joya Ticman (@NolanTicman) May 16, 2015
Khabib knows.
Hello @ufc give @FrankieEdgar he’s got that shot he deserve it @PinosPizza
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 18, 2015
Nice.
Thank u Luke for being such a fierce opponent & gentlemen! Good luck to u in your career! U have a bright future! https://t.co/9ncD38TPbQ
— Mark Muñoz (@mark_munoz) May 16, 2015
It has been an honor sharing this sport and weight class with you. You are an amazing athlete and human. Thanks @mark_munoz for career.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) May 16, 2015
Congrats @mark_munoz on a great career! Great to see guys go out on their own terms
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) May 16, 2015
A big shoutout to @mark_munoz for his touching retirement and his victory! pic.twitter.com/GbQLlyPzsK
— Jenna Jameson (@jennajameson) May 17, 2015
Soon.
Waking up and realized that in 6 days we can do something really special. Training went really well… https://t.co/OKKDbLxqO8
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 17, 2015
I’m ready to show you guys every aspect of my training. #SingularFocus debuts this Tuesday on @playerstribune. https://t.co/jo97eMbBK9
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) May 17, 2015
In a few days ill be off to Vegas for the performance of my career thank you again @khimanagement… https://t.co/tV1E8sNlpE
— Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) May 17, 2015
You think?
Love the fact that all the users are having a meltdown today bc they can’t decide whether it is still worth it to stay on the juice. #NSAC
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) May 15, 2015
Please be careful. Someone stop Khabib.
???????? ?????????? ?????? ? ?????, ???????? ??????, ??? ???????? ??????? ??? ? ?????????? ???… https://t.co/EhB6qEkkUo
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 17, 2015
About to hit the wake. @GunniNelson #ValleDeBravo #Mexico pic.twitter.com/Sm8MSot3Pk
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) May 17, 2015
“@SixGunGibson: @Cowboycerrone I’ve never been that deep before. How was it?” So fucking cool. Tomorrow we going way deeper.
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) May 18, 2015
The more you know.
Just saw a rad @FIGHTLAND clip on @LukeRockhold. Go watch that. But don’t let your girl watch it. Never let your girl see Luke Rockhold haha
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) May 17, 2015
Being nice to these chicks get you no where! Ladies these days don’t even know how to respond to a nice guy, it’s sad!
— Michael (@TeamRocBiggie) May 17, 2015
He’s still got it.
Hahaha forrestgriffin hitting the slippin slide at jaredallen69 charity golf tourney. #jah4ww https://t.co/ktNmSP57WY
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) May 17, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (May 15-17 2015)
cancelled Michael Johnson vs. Ben Henderson at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via abdel Lkabch.
5 non title fights to make for 2015
Frankie Edgar vs Chad Mendes
so if the aldo/mcgregor fight ends very close i feel like they will do the rematch, even if aldo wins close, so then i would love to see this fight, both fighters extremely talented and i like the storyline for mendes to avenge the loss of faber & for frankie to prove again and again that he really is the legit title contender for the 145 division. i feel like mendes is a more dangerous guy then faber espcially on 145. i think frankie & chad will match up very well and could give us a wonderful show
Henry Cejudo vs Joseph Benavidez
so assuming that John Dodson will win his fight on UFC 187 and be the next contender, i feel like this could be really a legit title contender fight next, espcially for Cejudo. this could be a very serious test for him before jumping in to a fight against mighty mouse, i feel like Cejudo is the next big thing but he don’t need to hurry. both fighter will need to win their fight on the next PPV show’s
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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