Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: With UFC 142 move to middleweight, is Anthony Johnson finished with the welterweight division?
Jan 11, 2012 - 4:15:12 PM ROUNDTABLE: With UFC 142 move to middleweight, is Anthony Johnson finished with the welterweight division?

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Do you believe Anthony Johnson is done as a welterweight with his move up, or is there a scenario you see for him to try to move back down?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST


Well, if Johnson gets KTFO in 35 seconds, it's likely he's going to go back to 170, naturally.  Other than that, I think he's a middleweight now.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR



I think the only way Johnson would go back to welterweight would be if he were unable to make a mark in the middleweight division. I think Johnson can, and will, make a big impact in the UFC middleweight division. I think Johnson matches up well with a lot of the other middleweights. I'm hoping to see big things from Johnson at 185 lbs.


ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I believe Anthony Johnson will stay as a middleweight as it seems like a division that he can benefit from being in. Also, with the lack of depth in the division, and some possible improvement on his part, he may be able to move up the ranks as a top contender to Anderson Silva.


ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I would say he is done at welterweight, unless he is a last minute replacement in a huge fight. He has had trouble making 170 and he did not make weight at UFC 104 against Yoshiyuki Yoshida. I think he will be more effective at 185. The weight cut was exhausting for him. He should have more in the tank and be able to go as hard in the later rounds as he does at the start of the fight. This will be a good move for him. I think this weight class will allow him to make a run at the middleweight title.


JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

The welterweight division has GSP on the sidelines for most of 2012, an interim title fight locked in, Jake Ellenberger on the cusp of a title opportunity, Johny Hendricks right behind him and Josh Koscheck (who's beaten Johnson) is still looming in the division. Anthony Johnson would pretty much have to go through all of those guys to get a shot at an interim Championship before St-Pierre returns next year.

Meanwhile in the middleweight division, either Chael Sonnen or Mark Munoz will challenge Anderson Silva in June... and that's pretty much it for the first six months of 2012. With an impressive performance by Anthony Johnson against Vitor Belfort, "Rumble" could easily slip into a title eliminator against the winner of Demian Maia-Michael Bisping and fight for the undisputed UFC Middleweight Title this year.

If Johnson beats Belfort, there's no reason to even entertain slimming back down to compete at 170.


MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Anthony Johnson is 6'2" of thick, chiseled muscle. He walks around north of 200 lbs. If he's finally succumb to the pressure to move up to middleweight for this fight, why would he move back down and subject himself to that hellacious weight cut again? 185 is the far shallower division anyway. If he beats Vitor Belfort, he's probably only one more win away from a title shot. He certainly can't say that at welterweight. Stick with the big boys, Rumble.