A New Threat to Jones

Anthony Johnson has agreed to fight at UFC on Fox 12. My prediction of Johnson as a co-headliner for the eventual Alexander Gustaffson/Jon Jones rematch didn't happen. He will not be facing Daniel Cormier or Dan Henderson, but instead Antonio Rogerio Nogueria.

I agree with the pairing regardless. The UFC is attempting to add more names to Johnson's resumes in hopes that he can become another contender to Jon Jones' light heavyweight title.

Coming off a string of victories including three in the WSOF, Johnson returned to the UFC with a bang dominating Phil Davis. A unique figure in MMA his career has been stranger than most. It seems ridiculous now that he was cutting weight for the majority of his first UFC tenure to make welterweight. The size of a heavyweight his management should have realized he was too large to cut that much.

Now fighting in his proper division he appears to be a real threat. A win over Nogueria will add credibility to an eventual challenge of the title. That is if his opponent is healthy for their match up. Having fought only twice in the past three years, Nogueria has been plagued with injuries. A fighter in the twilight of his career, I'd like to see how he could step up to the challenge, if he makes it to the ring.

My prediction is an Anthony Johnson victory. Having to wait for Gustaffson and more than likely Cormier to challenge for the belt, he will need another win after to be considered a number one contender. Jones though should be paying attention to this fight. In the future he'll more than likely have to face this former welterweight, turned light heavyweight celebrity.