With UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones possibly involved in a drug-related car accident, his UFC 187 title defense against Anthony “Rumbe” Johnson might be in serious jeopardy. Until now, there is no official word from the UFC on if or if they won’t pull Jones from the fight. But if they do, “Rumble” won’t fight as well as long as there is no belt on the line, as he explained on yesterday’s edition of UFC Tonight.
“I only want to fight for the title,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’ve worked my way up to being the No. 1 contender, and I plan on staying that way. Unless it’s for a title, I don’t want to be like Vitor and wait a year. But if I have to, I will.”
Vitor Belfort, who Johnson is referencing to, was scheduled to fight middleweight champion Chris Weidman on two seperate occasions in December and February. Weidman however, had to pull out of both fights due to injuries. Their fight has now been rescheduled for UFC 187 on May 23, the same card that is supposed to feature Jones vs. Johnson for the 205-pound title in the main event.
With no one knowing how the Jon Jones situation will develop, MMA fans in the world of social media are already rooting for an interim-championship fight between Johnson and former title challenger Daniel Cormier. Johnson wasn’t explicitly asked about that fight, but stated that as long as he’s fighting for the title, for him, it doesn’t matter against whom.
“Nothing’s changed,” Johnson said Monday on UFC Tonight. “I’m still training hard, staying focused, staying on the grind. Like I said, whoever they give me, whatever they throw my way, I’ll be ready no matter what.”
(Transcription via MMA Fighting)
Anthony Johnson is currently on a nine-fight winning streak and earned his shot at Jones with a dominating victory over former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson in January. Jon Jones is a suspect in a hit-and-run felony charge in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after he had allegedly run a red light and hit the car of a pregnant woman. Documents with his name on it, as well as marijuana and a marijuana pipe have been found in the car.
About the author
