The MMA landscape is constantly changing, and when one fight seems like the talk of the town, the next minute the focus is on something completely different.
Anthony Johnson, former UFC welterweight turned light heavyweight knockout machine, has been angling for a fight with No. 1 light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson for some time, but up to this point, nothing has come to fruition.
While Johnson certainly still wants a crack at Gustafsson, he is biding his time in search of other bouts as Gustafsson and the UFC seemingly stalls. His latest target? None other than UFC heavyweight and former training partner Alistair Overeem.
Johnson and Overeem have squabbled before, with Johnson stating that Overeem was never a Blackzilian and intended on hurting his training partners. Overeem brushed Johnson’s comments aside, but following another knockout loss, most recently at the hands of Ben Rothwell, a catchweight bout with Johnson seems as likely as ever before.
Johnson, speaking recently with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, explained why he is interested in a fight with Overeem.
“I’ll fight him, I don’t care. I’ve already trained with him before,” Johnson told Helwani. “Why not? To me it’s just a fight. If the fans want to see it, I’m down to do it. I ain’t said no to any fight ever.”
“I’d meet him at a catchweight,” Johnson continued. “If he wanted to meet me at 225, let’s do it. Or whatever, 220, I’d do that. Or I’d meet at 230 at the dot, if he was down to go that far. Let’s do it. Even if I fought him, it’s a dangerous fight. He’s still got weapons that are crazy. He was hitting Ben with some crazy knees. He’s a dangerous fighter still, but I’d definitely test him.”
We will have to wait and hear from UFC boss Dana White to gauge that possibility of this fight happening, but with Overeem’s stock dropping quickly, and Johnson’s stock on the rise, it makes sense to book that fight as Johnson waits for his crack at the light heavyweight title.
[h/t BloodyElbow]
