UFC
UFC 142's Anthony "Rumble" Johnson says forget Chael Sonnen, "everyone at middleweight has to worry about me now"
Jan 10, 2012 - 10:45:09 PM UFC 142's Anthony "Rumble" Johnson says forget Chael Sonnen, "everyone at middleweight has to worry about me now"

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Anthony "Rumble" Johnson has long been considered a very talented fighter in the UFC's welterweight division, and as he prepares to make his debut at 185 lbs. this Saturday night against Vitor Belfort at UFC 142, he's got lofty goals for his middleweight run.

"Moving up to face Vitor was a new chapter in my life, a new challenge," Johnson reflected in quotes released by the UFC on Tuesday. "I'm going to stay here and I'm going to take over this weight class."

It all starts with Belfort, who Johnson will attempt to defeat in front of a rabid crowd in Belfort's home country. However, that doesn't concern him entering the week, and while much of the attention in the middleweight division has gone to Chael Sonnen as a challenger as of late, Johnson believes he is the new top dog in the weight class.

"I'm going to use everything in my power to dominate Vitor in every way possible," Johnson said. "He's fast, he's powerful, he has a lot of experience, but my right hand is his Kryptonite."

"I will dominate Vitor Belfort. Chael Sonnen is seen as the top threat to Anderson Silva's title. Well, I am at 185 pounds and everyone at middleweight has to worry about me now. I'm in this division to go to the top. You will see a whole different animal now I am at this weight class."

Penick's Analysis: Johnson looks absolutely jacked at 185 lbs., and he'll match up well size-wise with anyone in the middleweight division. He's got a good wrestling game, an exciting striking game that continues to improve, and this fight with Belfort will do a lot to let everyone know just where he's going to come into this division. If he can get past a recent title challenger who just blitzed his last opponent, he's going to get another major booking at 185 lbs., and a couple of wins in a thinner division at that level will get him into title contention.