411 MMA Interview: A Few Rounds with Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson

Posted by Bren Oliver on 04.18.2008

Fresh off an impressive knockout victory at Fight Night XIII over TUF VI finalist Tom Speer, and with a winning record in the Octagon, the sky is the limit for 24-year old UFC Welterweight Anthony "Rumble" Johnson. Read ahead as Johnson takes time out of his day to join 411Mania and discuss his pre-Octagon days, his philosophy on fighting, his UFC experiences, his hobbies outside the ring, and much more!

When an average fan thinks of the UFC's Welterweights, it's likely names like Georges St. Pierre, Jon Fitch, Matt Serra, Josh Koscheck, and Diego Sanchez immediately jump to mind. They are generally considered the "present" in the promotion's 170-pound weight class. However, questions remain as to who is the division's future. What young fighter will emerge as a legitimate challenger to the UFC's best? Who will be the next wunderkind to merit the same sort of hype as St. Pierre did in 2004? The Ultimate Fighter Season VI was supposed to assist in sorting that out, and, in a roundabout way, it very well may have...

Anthony "Rumble" Johnson was one of the many fighters who auditioned for a spot on the sixth season of TUF. For whatever reasons he was not selected. However, unlike a multitude of the young talent trying out for the series, Johnson did not fade into obscurity and instead bypassed the "reality show" process. He ntroduced himself to UFC fans with a vicious thirteen-second knockout over Chad Reiner at UFC Fight Night X. His next Octagon appearance came three months later, on very short notice, when he nearly knocked Rich Clementi out after attempting to cut thirty pounds prior to the bout. Then, in what was no doubt the biggest win of his young career, an interesting twist of fate landed him opposite TUF VI Finalist Tom Speer approximately two weeks ago at UFC Fight Night XIII. The contest was advertised by some as a "coming out" party for Speer, a young fighter who showed a lot of potential during his Ultimate Fighter stint and had since been taken under Matt Hughes' wing. But, unlike a television show, there is no script inside the cage, so Anthony Johnson decided to write his own ending - knocking "The Farm Boy" out in less than a minute.

At 6'2", 24 years old, and with a well-rounded arsenal and a ton of athleticism, Johnson is already an imposing force and has the makings of a great Mixed Martial Artist...a UFC Champion. He is a solid, young fighter and, as it turns out, he's a great person too. In fact, after reading this interview, you may even find yourself calling him "Humble" instead of "Rumble"...




"To me all fights are the same. I see it as I'm just fighting another hungry fighter like me. I'm never nervous for a fight. I'm calm as ever. I didn't do anything special at all - like I always say, I just fight and I fight with confidence."


411Mania: Please tell our readers a little bit about your pre-fighter life. How does a young man from Dublin, Georgia (pop. 16,000) end up in Los Angeles, then eventually find himself Colorado (as the announcers stated at Fight Night XIII)? Am I correct in understanding you wrestled collegiately and were pretty much a bad ass at the mat-based sport in high school? How did you end up transitioning from wrestling to Mixed Martial Arts?


Anthony Johnson: I only trained in Colorado for my fight - I never lived there. I came to Cali on a wrestling scholarship in Nor Cal. After college I started wrestling. I wouldn't call myself a bad ass wrestler. I'd call myself a hard working wrestler. *laughs* My neighbor back in Nor Cal where I used to live kept asking me to come train at his gym. At first I was like (to himself), "You dont know anything. You are from this small town in the middle of no where." A friend of mine asked me to try it out anyways just to see if I would like it. So, I went, I loved it, and the rest is history.


411: Your first professional fight came a little less than two years ago, a bout you won in around a minute via TKO. Can you describe what you were feeling leading up to your debut and, likewise, the sensation of emerging from the fight a winner? Did you know right then that MMA was the life for you?


AJ: I've always had the will to compete so my first fight was pretty intense for me. The feeling I had was like no feeling I've felt before. I just wanted to go in there and beat him up. *laughs* Thank God I had pretty good training, because I didn't go in there and just swing like I've never trained before...I went in there looking like a pro fighter. From the first day I was ever at a MMA gym I knew fighting was meant for me.


411: In September of 2006 you fought twice on the same night at a Rocky Mountain Nationals' Tournament. As fans are generally used to fighters competing a single time at any given event, can you explain the differences in stepping into the ring on two occasions as compared to once? How do you mentally prepare yourself to fight again in such a short amount of time?


AJ: Man, fighting twice in one night was fun but crazy! *laughs* Preparing for the fight was the easy part. The dieting was the worst part. The difference is just preparing your body and mind for two wars instead of one. Every fighter is different, so for a tournament like I was in you have to train for everything. I didn't have any tape or anything with the guys I fought. Thank God they were wrestlers!


411: Moving on to your UFC career, your first Octagon appearance came at "UFC Fight Night 10" and only lasted thirteen seconds. How would you compare it to your original MMA debut? Were you nervous? Did you do anything special after your first UFC victory?


AJ: To me all fights are the same. I see it as I'm just fighting another hungry fighter like me. I'm never nervous for a fight. I'm calm as ever. I didn't do anything special at all - like I always say, I just fight and I fight with confidence.


411: You took your second UFC fight on very short notice and had to cut a great deal of weight beforehand. How many days did you have to get ready for UFC 76? How much did you actually have to lose before the bout against Rich Clementi? What was it like to fight in an arena the size of the Honda Center?


AJ: I had a week to lose 30 lbs for my fight with Rich. I tried to lose 30 but only got down to 176lbs. It was great fighting in the show...(there were) some really good fights. The Honda Center was a great place to have that event...




"You will never hear of Anthony Johnson fighting pitbulls or anyone I hang out with."


411: Most recently fans saw you dismantle Tommy Speer in less than a minute at "UFC Fight Night 13". What was your training regiment leading up to the match? What did you drill in terms of preparation for Speer? Do you feel your wrestling background matched up well against his? Also, I read you tried out for the Ultimate Fighter Season Six. Since Mac Danzig has dropped down to Lightweight, and you just beat the runner-up, does that mean you are officially TUF VI Champion? But seriously, was there any additional satisfaction in taking home a win against a guy who was, in a sense, picked over you for the season?


AJ: I got up every morning and ran three miles, ate pretty clean, and trained at night. I worked more on my grappling, clinch, and kicks. My wrestling matched up great with his. I knew he wouldn't take me down...I'm hard to take down when I'm in shape and ready. Yeah, I went out for TUF 6 and didn't make it which (actually) worked out better for me. I beat Tommy and Mac dropped down to 155lbs., but I'm not a champ until I have that UFC belt around my waist. No satisfaction at all. I just wanted to win.


411: You have trained with a number of solid camps and therefore a multitude of skilled fighters. Has this helped you pick up a variety of skills whereas they're more limited if you train with the same people on a yearly basis? Who are some of the Mixed Martial Artists you've worked with?


AJ: Yes, I've trained with some of the best fighters in the world and the things they have taught me helped me out a lot. I've worked with Wanderlei Silva, Shogun, Ninja, Shonie Carter, Evan Tanner, and my boys down at American Kickboxing Academy.


411: One of your passions is breeding pitbulls and you in fact own a kennel. How did you first get into pits? For someone reading this who associates the business with people like Michael Vick, and dog-fighting in general, please inform him/her of what exactly your dogs are about and why there is much more to pitbulls than the way they are typically portrayed in the media.


AJ: I love animals but my heart is with the pitbull breed. I got into pits about four years ago but didn't really get deep into the game until last year. I don't fight my dogs or treat them bad at all. I treat them like they are my kids...they are spoiled rotten. Mike Vick made a bad name for the breed and for every human that has a pitbull. You will never hear of Anthony Johnson fighting pitbulls or anyone I hang out with. I'm always going to Bully expos with my friends just to show them that the breed isn't bad - it's the owner. Pits are so LOYAL!!! (They are) the best breed anyone can have in my opinion. I have a up and coming kennel, "Iron Heart Pitbulls", so be on the look out for them...


411: What do you feel your strengths are as a fighter? Do you feel training at high-altitude gives you an extra edge over most opponents? Do you believe your height gives you a distinct advantage at a weightclass generally featuring guys who are under six-feet tall?


AJ: My strengths would be my stand-up of course. You can train anywhere and get good training. High-altitude helps depending on where you are fighting. Being 6'2 helps me out a lot, and my reach, so I'm blessed to have both.


411: What is next for Anthony Johnson? Do you have any potential opponents on your radar? With a 2-0 record at "UFC Fight Night" events it seems like you might not be opposed to the idea of showcasing your talents on another one...maybe against a guy you've expressed interest in before, and TUF alumnus, Diego Sanchez?


AJ: I don't know whats next for me. I'm waiting on UFC to hit me up asking if I'm ready to fight again. They can give me whoever that want. If I had the chance to fight Diego Sanchez I would, but if I dont, oh well. I'm not worried about him...I'm focused on me.




"My pop is the best man and friend I'll ever have. He taught me about life and being a man."


Quick Hits:

411: What job would you hate having?


AJ: Construction worker


411: Tougher sparring partner - "Shogun" Rua, Wanderlei Silva, or Ken Shamrock?


AJ: Shogun has the upper hand on a skill level and Wanderlei has the upper had on the strength. Ken doesnt compare to those two guys.


411: What was the last good movie you saw?


AJ: Transformers


411: What is your "guilty pleasure"?


AJ: I love to eat Gummy Bears!


411: Who do you look up to and why?


AJ: My pop is the best man and friend I'll ever have. He taught me about life and being a man.


411: Thanks for your time Anthony. Best of luck in your next fight and beyond. Is there anyone you would like to thank or give a shout out to?


AJ: Thank you to all my sponsors from my last fight - Knoxx, Finish Gear, Tapout, Dark House, - MMA Agents, and my family/friends from all over. Thank you and I love you all!