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Who's next for Anthony "Rumble" Johnson? How do you think he matches up with fellow top 205 lb. fighters Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and Glover Teixeira?
TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
Anthony Johnson has put himself right in the mix for a title shot. Yes, he may have to beat one or possibly two more fighters before getting it, but at this rate I don't see him being stopped until he gets that shot.
Ok, Lil Nog isn't the fighter he once was, but to come out and finish him in 44 seconds, a fighter who's only been stopped once before, is very impressive.
Before Daniel Cormier got the call up to fight Jon Jones, I thought this would've been a great match up. Will Gustafsson want to face Johnson? I very much doubt it. I think he might hold out for the title shot he was promised.
Glover Teixeira makes the most sense looking at where they are within the division. In my opinion Johnson beats Glover, beats Cormier, and would give Gustafsson one of his toughest fights to date.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think he has to fight one more time before getting a title shot. Cormier has the next shot, and Gustafsson the one after that. I think the right fight to make would be Rumble vs. Teixeira. I think Johnson matches up well with Teixeira, Gustafsson, and Cormier and would give any of those guys problems. I think he would be the favorite against Teixiera, and a slight underdog to either Gustafsson or Cormier. I personally think Johnson beats all three of those guys, in large part because of his power. I would love to see a Jones vs. Johnson fight. I think Jones wins, but it would be a damn exciting fight.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
The only remotely sensible fights for Anthony Johnson right now are Glover Teixeira, Alexander Gustafsson, or the loser of Jones vs. Cormier. The man is immensely improved from where he used to stand, and is on a fabulously entertaining killing spree at light heavyweight. If he doesn't get one of the aforementioned fighters, a fight with Anderson Silva at 205 is something my mind would feel intrigued to see, though that won't happen with Silva fighting Nick Diaz. I know that makes no sense, but look what Rumble has been doing to these poor guys. I mean, does that even count as an Octagon return for Little Nog? He was in and out in under five minutes counting introductions and the fight! Rumble on Anthony!
KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I still think he is a rung below those guys, I mean come on, he just beat a guy way past his prime, and I've heard people calling for a title shot? I think a realistic next opponent would be winner of OSP/Bader, but I have a feeling he'll get a top five opponent. I'm just not sure he will be ready for that.
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