The UFC’s light-heavyweight division is getting a much-needed shakeup on Saturday night when Anthony “Rumble” Johnson returns at UFC 172.
While the 30-year-old is no doubt thankful to be fighting top contender Phil Davis, the UFC brought back Johnson at a time when they needed him the most.
Gone are the days when superstars Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson ruled the 205-pound class. Today Jon Jones remains at the top of the ladder along with a few worthy suitors vying for the next shot at light-heavyweight gold. With all these changes, the drop off between perennial contenders and the rest of the division is evident. The injection of Johnson adds some much needed life into a weight class that’s in dire need of another superstar.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Watch UFC 172 prelims Saturday on Sportsnet 360 starting at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST
Johnson’s first run in the UFC seemed like a classic case of wasted potential. A combination of speed and devastating knockout power, Johnson’s faults unfortunately overshadowed his talents. Along with a weak ground game, his issues outside the cage caused him the biggest obstacles.
During his 11 fights in the UFC, Johnson missed weight (by five pounds or more) for three of those bouts. The most devastating being when he moved up to middleweight to fight future teammate Vitor Belfort at UFC 142. Not only did Johnson miss weight by 12 pounds, the Brazilian finished him in the first round. To nobody’s surprise, the UFC wasn’t happy and released the then 10-4 fighter from the promotion.
Leaving the UFC turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Johnson settled on fighting at 205 pounds, a more natural weight class for the talented striker. But perhaps the most important decision he made was signing with upstart World Series of Fighting late in 2012. Not only did the Blackzilian fighter have a television audience to showcase his skills, he also wasn’t tied down in a long-term contract with WSOF. He racked up impressive highlight-reel knockouts over D.J. Linderman and Mike Kyle and even beat former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski in a heavyweight bout.
Now, coming back to the Zuffa promotion for the first time in more than two years, Johnson faces a stiff test in Davis, who is currently riding a four-fight unbeaten streak. “Mr. Wonderful” holds wins over top fighters Alexander Gustafsson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. At 12-1-1, his only loss was a lopsided decision against Johnson’s teammate Rashad Evans at UFC on FOX 2. The Alliance MMA pupil is coming off a controversial unanimous decision win over Lyoto Machida at UFC 163 last August. Despite emerging victorious that evening, the 29-year-old had a difficult time booking a fight and hasn’t competed since.
Stylistically this matchup is intriguing. Along with being a former NCAA wrestler, Davis also boasts four submission victories in 14 fights. Three of Johnson’s four losses have come by way of submission. “Rumble” has the edge in striking, while Davis has never been knocked out in his MMA career. Combined, these two fighters are currently riding a 10-fight unbeaten streak.
Win or lose, the UFC’s investment in Johnson is smart, as he has all the tools to become a superstar. Situated in the proper weight class will finally give the Georgia native the successful path he should have taken after his UFC debut in 2007. Should Davis emerge victorious it would put him one step closer to a title shot. However an impressive, highlight-reel win would give the UFC a new star in the 205-pound division.