Anthony Johnson knows he is in for a challenge this Saturday night when he meets Glover Teixeira at UFC 202 in a light heavyweight title-eliminator.
“Rumble” was on the cusp of winning …
Anthony Johnson knows he is in for a challenge this Saturday night when he meets Glover Teixeira at UFC 202 in a light heavyweight title-eliminator.
“Rumble” was on the cusp of winning UFC gold last year, but lost via submission to Daniel Cormier in a bout to crown a new champion after Jon Jones was stripped of the belt.
With the top contenders having studied one another, Johnson sees only little spots to attack the Brazilian come this weekend.
“He’s got pretty tight boxing and his wrestling is solid,” said Johnson, during an interview on UFC Tonight. “I don’t see too many weaknesses.”
While many believe the winner will earn the next crack at Cormier, nothing is for certain in MMA, saying “We worked out butts off to get a crack at Cormier again. We all work hard. We don’t have time to sit back and wait on anyone. It’s a short career.”
Johnson has been working to become a more complete fighter, which includes improving his biggest weakness.
“I’ve been working hard,” he said. “I’m working on my wrestling, grappling more and I’m always working on my cardio. I hold my breath with my punches in the fight and you know how that catches up with you. But I’m ready for anything.”
When UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier came to the decision that he was officially moving on from Jon Jones, he was quite serious. This week that fact was put to the test and thus far, D.C. isn’t budging.
As noted, “Bones” Jones had the …
When UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier came to the decision that he was officially moving on from Jon Jones, he was quite serious. This week that fact was put to the test and thus far, D.C. isn’t budging.
As noted, “Bones” Jones had the MMA community buzzing when seemingly out of nowhere, he announced that he is “expecting to be back in the Octagon really soon.” Following the statement from the former UFC 205-pound champion, which he made over the weekend, UFC President Dana White had fans even deeper in shock when he basically co-signed the statement, while adding at least some level of details to explain how that could even be possible after Jones tested positive for two banned substances by USADA, which ultimately led to him being pulled from his scheduled rematch to unify the UFC 205-pound titles against Cormier in the main event of the historic UFC 200 pay-per-view in early July.
While Jones seems convinced and even White would re-reference the subject in a different interview with ESPN where he pointed out his belief that Jones “has like 12 lives, it’s unbelievable,” before adding that, “things are looking up for him.”
Regardless of whether or not Jones dodges another bullet and avoids a potential career-altering two-year mandatory suspension, reigning UFC 205-pound champ Cormier has gone on the record in stating that even if Jones gets off the hook, he is still not going to fight him, but will instead continue on as planned and defend his title against the winner of the fan-friendly Anthony “Rumble” Johnson vs. Glover Teixeira co-featured bout at this Saturday’s UFC 202 pay-per-view.
“Why would I sue USADA,” questioned Cormier in response to a fan in a new tweet posted on Tuesday after White’s comments. “Jon did take something. Just something different than originally thought.”
Just a couple of hours later, D.C. resurfaced on Twitter again to publicly declare that he is still officially moved on from Jon Jones, and that he still intends to defend his title against the winner of Saturday’s Johnson-Teixeira bout.
“I’m fighting [the] winner of Glover vs. Rumble,” he wrote in the brief follow-up tweet. “Don’t care how this plays out.”
Why would I sue USADA. Jon did take something. Just something different than originally thought https://t.co/bi3Miys5uC
Former undisputed light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones found himself in a spot of bother again before UFC 200. After serving a suspension that saw him stripped of the 205-pound title, Jones’ return at UFC 197 was lacklustre. There was no question about the decision win over Ovince St-Preux, but Jones did not look the same. Was
Former undisputed light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones found himself in a spot of bother again before UFC 200. After serving a suspension that saw him stripped of the 205-pound title, Jones’ return at UFC 197 was lacklustre. There was no question about the decision win over Ovince St-Preux, but Jones did not look the same. Was it ring rust? Daniel Cormier believed the best Jon Jones had been and gone, and pointed out the impact of all the partying. The failed drug test for cocaine, his infamous New Mexico hit-and-run that lost him the title, and the self-confessed Marijuana addiction were now apparently a thing of the past.
Then came the shocking news of Jones’ failed drug test. USADA had found a banned substance in a June 16 random dope screen, once again putting the troubled ‘Bones’ in the sin bin. The interim champion held a press conference after being pulled from UFC 200 on just three days notice. Protesting his innocence in an emotion-fuelled interview, Jones claimed he had no knowledge of the banned substance. At this point nobody knew what USADA had found.
The Big Reveal
It wasn’t too long before we learned that Clomiphene was the banned substance in Jon Jones’ system. The anti-estrogen typically used after a steroid cycle is not allowed in or out of competition. Ironically this same substance was found in both of Brock Lesnar’s failed UFC 200 drug tests. ‘Bones’ remained quiet as he was removed from the official light-heavyweight and P4P rankings. Until yesterday.
Claiming he had some ‘good news’ for his legion of followers, Jones has led many to believe he’s making some progress with the USADA testers. Perhaps it was a tainted supplement after all, there are numerous recent cases that can attest to the real possibility of this happening. Both Tim Means and Yoel Romero had recent suspensions overturned following similar circumstance.
Joe Rogan on Jon Jones
During a recent episode of his popular podcast, UFC commentator Joe Rogan gave his opinion on Jon Jones. Bearing in mind this was filmed before the Jones message to his fans about ‘good news,’ it still raises some interesting questions and points for debate.
“I don’t know if there’s anything wrong with doing blow, I don’t think it’s a positive drug, but some people enjoy it. Some people enjoy drinking, I enjoy drinking, ad I don’t think that’s a positive drug. But (cocaine) is not something you are supposed to be doing three weeks outside of a world title fight. You’re out doing blow just 21 days before, that’s crazy.”
“If you ask his coaches they’ll tell you he surrounds himself with the wrong people. Jon is an extremely talented guy. Maybe one of the most talented guys to ever compete in the sport. When the chips are down he gets through things, he overcomes adversity.”
“Isn’t there also the issues that fighters have impulse control problems? There are direct correlations between head impacts and impulse control. It can’t be good to get kicked in the head, or punched in the face, any kind of impact causes your brain to get jostled.”
“The stuff he tested positive for, anti-estrogen, that’s not even beneficial. The only time its beneficial is when you’re coming off steroids, but he didn’t test positive for steroids before. It could have been a tainted supplement, who knows what wacky shit he was taking. I don’t know.”
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has good news for ‘Bones’ fans everywhere. Jones took to his Instagram account earlier today (August 14, 2016) to tell fans that he can’t get into the specifics of things, but he’s hearing good news regarding his United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) violation and expects to make an
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has good news for ‘Bones’ fans everywhere.
Jones took to his Instagram account earlier today (August 14, 2016) to tell fans that he can’t get into the specifics of things, but he’s hearing good news regarding his United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) violation and expects to make an Octagon return real soon:
“I’ve been training, spending time with family, attacking some of these legal issues that I’ve gotten myself into. Trying to really just leave that all behind once and for all.
I’m sure you guys are curious about what’s going on with this USADA situation. Obviously I can’t get into it because it’s still pending.
What I can say is that we have found out lots of really good news and I am expecting to be back in the Octagon really soon. Thank you guys for your continuous support, I love you guys, and I hope you are spending this Sunday with people that you love.”
Jones was set to headline UFC 200 against hated rival, and UFC light heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier in a 205-pound title unification bout.
Just two days out from the event, however, it was announced Jones had been flagged for violating USADA’s testing policy and was removed from the blockbuster event. Cormier would instead take on former middleweight king Anderson Silva in a three round contest in which he took home a unanimous decision victory.
If what Jones says is true, could it really only be a matter of time before we see ‘Bones’ once again dominate in the Octagon he once reigned for nearly four years as champion?
Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson has been an absolute monster since moving up to the UFC’s 205-pound division, and now currently sits at the No. 1-ranked position in the light heavyweight rankings. Once upon a time ‘Rumble’ was scheduled to take on the then-reigning 205-pound kingpin Jon ‘Bones’ Jones in the main event of UFC 187, however,
Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson has been an absolute monster since moving up to the UFC’s 205-pound division, and now currently sits at the No. 1-ranked position in the light heavyweight rankings.
Once upon a time ‘Rumble’ was scheduled to take on the then-reigning 205-pound kingpin Jon ‘Bones’ Jones in the main event of UFC 187, however, an unfortunate hit-and-run incident would force Jones out of the contest and into a spiral of legal troubles resulting in his one-year hiatus from the sport.
Jones has once again landed himself in hot water, as he was flagged for the use of banned substances by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) ahead of his scheduled clash with hated rival Daniel Cormier at UFC 200.
Now Jones is looking at up to a two-year suspension from the sport, putting his mixed martial arts (MMA) career in question. One of the most called for match-ups in the 205-pound weight clash was a throwdown between the heavy-hitting Johnson and the talented Jones, but it’s looking more and more like fight fans will never get to see the dream matchup.
In a recent interview with ESPN, ‘Rumble’ stated that he has moved on from the potential fight with ‘Bones’, saying it’s just not in the cards anymore:
“It’s just not gonna happen — at this point, I know it’s not gonna happen,” Johnson said. “It is what it is. I’m moving forward. Everybody is moving forward. I’m still shooting high and trying to do what I can in this sport.
I’m not focused on Jon anymore. And I can tell you Daniel Cormier, Glover — they’re not focused on Jon, either. Nobody in this division is focused on Jon anymore. That’s a fact.”
While Johnson now has his eyes set on what is really important, he did admit that he felt a bit of disappointment after learning that Jones was flagged by USADA just two days out from UFC 200, drastically slimming the possibility that he’ll ever get the opportunity to meet Jones inside of the Octagon:
“When the UFC 200 stuff first happened, I was just in shock with everything,” Johnson said. “Maybe for a couple of days or a week or two, I was just extremely disappointed.
I was like, ‘Damn, this is just really not gonna happen.’ I was looking forward to it just as much as anyone was. So, it does disappoint me.
I’m not mad at Jon. It doesn’t affect me, but I feel bad for the man, you know? I wish the best for everybody. I wish he would have made a smarter decision.
If he did take those estrogen blockers or whatever, I wish he was smarter than that. But Jon is his own man. It is what it is. It’s on Jon, not me.”
‘Rumble’ has a tall order ahead of him next week, as he takes on No. 2-ranked Glover Teixeira in the co-main event of UFC 202. Johnson admitted that he doesn’t plan on staying in the sport of MMA long, but simply wants to get paid and get out:
“I ain’t trying to fight until I’m 35,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to make my money and go on to something different — do bigger and better things with my life.
Hell, I don’t want to get punched in the head that damn much. I’ve got other things I want to do.”
“This is going to be a fun fight,” Johnson said. “This is a fun fight for me and the fans. Glover is a brawler.”
Johnson will meet Teixeira in the co-main event of UFC 202 live on pay-per-view (PPV), from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20, 2016.
Former undisputed light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones is in the dog house. The troubled 29-year old this time played a big role in the UFC 200 fight week drama that ended with his removal from the main event. ‘Bones” history of unsavoury behaviour finally caught up to him in 2015. After failing a dope screen for
Former undisputed light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones is in the dog house. The troubled 29-year old this time played a big role in the UFC 200 fight week drama that ended with his removal from the main event. ‘Bones” history of unsavoury behaviour finally caught up to him in 2015. After failing a dope screen for cocaine, Jones took things to the next level. Leaving a pregnant woman injured at the scene of a pretty hairy car wreck in New Mexico, Jones’ employers responded by stripping him of his championship.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters to ever enter the sport, Jones’ frustrating tale was far from over at this point. After serving an indefinite suspension from the UFC, ending officially on October 23, 2015, Jones was soon booked in to rematch Daniel Cormier. ‘DC’ had won the vacant belt in the absence of the former champion, and made his first successful title defense against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 192.
Jon Jones had a huge chance at redemption when he was booked against Daniel Cormier at UFC 200…
Redemption? Nah…
Originally scheduled to fight at UFC 197, Jones and Cormier would see another setback. When the champ fell out injured, ‘Bones’ would instead face Ovince St-Preux in a somewhat humdrum performance. Defeating ‘OSP’ by decision for the interim belt, a unification match was set for the UFC 200 main event. After all the controversies outside the octagon, the battle with his inner demons and well publicised struggles with drug addiction, was it finally time for Jon Jones to come full circle? No, it was not.
Wednesday July 6 was meant to be the best day of the year for MMA and UFC fans; The middle of a fight week that featured three events culminating in the historic UFC 200 card on July 9. Up until the moment Jeff Novitsky took the stand during an impromptu presser, the UFC 200 card was looking solid. Once the USADA violation on Jones’ part was announced, the milestone pay-per-view card steadily slid in to turmoil.
Backlash
Jones addressed the media during an emotional moment, claiming that tainted supplements had caused his positive test on June 16, 2016. It was later revealed that anti-estrogen Clomephine and Letrozole were to blame for the USADA bust, the very same substance that UFC 200 co-main event heavyweight Brock Lesnar would fail two tests for. As a result, the light-heavyweight division is once again without Jones. USADA and the Nevada Athletic Commission will decide how long ‘Bones’ and Lesnar will be out for, but the ramifications of these controversies are far from confined to suspension length.
Lesnar’s opponent Mark Hunt has gone on the offensive against the UFC and USADA. After being defeated by the WWE star and learning of his discrepancies, ‘The Super Samoan’ blasted his employers and publicly announced his fighters unions inauguration. All this, and we’ve not really taken into consideration Jones’ interim strap, and the impact on the rest of the division.
Say goodbye to the bad guy…again
As we await Jones’ hearing with the NAC, we’ve now learned that he’s been removed completely from the official UFC rankings. ‘Bones’ is not alone though, as former light-heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida and fellow offender Brock Lesnar are also scratched from the ranks.
It looks like we can now call Jones the ex-light-heavyweight interim champion now too. A sad day for MMA, as once again the superbly talented ‘Bones’ faces an uncertain future. There is no good to come from this story, at least non that we can see as of now.
![jon-jones-reinstatement-700[1]](http://cdn.lowkickmma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/jon-jones-reinstatement-7001.jpg)
In a recent interview with 
‘Rumble’ has a tall order ahead of him next week, as he takes on No. 2-ranked Glover Teixeira in the co-main event of UFC 202. Johnson admitted that he doesn’t plan on staying in the sport of MMA long, but simply wants to get paid and get out:![jon-jones-ap[1]](http://cdn.lowkickmma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/jon-jones-ap1.jpg)
