UFC's Anthony Johnson Undergoes Eye Surgery
Posted by Dustin James on 07.26.2008
See, he wasn't faking it......
UFC welterweight Anthony "Rumble" Johnson recently underwent eye surgery for a damaged retina and a laceration which occurred during his fight with Kevin Burns at UFC Fight Night 14 last weekend. Johnson recently commented on how the surgery went as well as a possible return date:
"My retina was damaged, possibly detached, and the laceration was pretty long. It was basically from one end of my eye to the other. They did laser surgery that took about two hours, put some stitches on it basically. The doctor said I should be back in the [Octagon] in September. So, hopefully you'll get to see me do my thing in September or October.
Everything should be fine. I'll go back soon (for a check-up) and they'll just make sure that I don't have any infections.
I told my agent, Ken Pavia, I have nothing against Kevin; but personally I don't want him to fight again until he gets his hands fixed, I don't want any other fighter to go through what I went through.
I don't think it's cool that he fought with his hands like that. It put himself and others that he's competing with in danger. Just look at me. I can accept a loss, but I can't accept a loss or the consequence of someone else's wrong doing in a fight like that."
Immediately after the fight, and in subsequent interviews, Johnson has shown nothing but class.
If that was me, I'd still be protesting the decision.
Posted By: Gadge (Registered) on July 26, 2008 at 05:51 PM
That was pretty much the biggest BS call I've ever seen.
Posted By: TD (Guest) on July 26, 2008 at 05:52 PM
I got a lot of respect for Anthony Johnson after this. At first, I didn't know much about him, just watched his fights. I was cool with the way he blasted Tommy Spear into a sad, sleepy pudding snack. That was awesome. But now it's way he handled his loss, the injury, and his attitude, especially considering the excrutiating pain, he's shown nothing but class and grace. And he's right. There's no way Burns should be allowed to fight with his hand like that.
Here's hoping for a swift and full recovery, Rumble.
Posted By: Guest#0105 (Guest) on July 26, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Total class. That's what I've seen from Anthony Johnson. I saw that fight, and it definitely looked to me like Anthony could make a pretty strong case for Ken being DQ'd. Was it an accident? Maybe...although the replay looked pretty questionable...
The big thing I took away from the fight though, was not the win/loss but the sheer grace and professionalism displayed by Anthony Johnson. It would have been easy and well within his rights to throw a tantrum after that call, but he handled it with a level of class that you don't often see in MMA and sports in general.
Ironically enough, I think he might have earned more fans through how he handled that "loss" than he would have with a win. Best wishes on the recovery, Rumble. Hope you'll be back soon.
Posted By: Peter (Guest) on July 26, 2008 at 07:42 PM
The whole thing is a work and he's playing the classy and humble baby-face to a T all the while keeping the slow burn heel treatment building on the 'Stache.
It will all culminate during an epic battle between Ortiz and the Spider when Kendal hops the cage and cold-cocks Anderson with a steel chair while Mazzagatti's back is turned.
You heard it here first.
Posted By: Wrestling conspirator... (Guest) on July 26, 2008 at 08:53 PM
"...and cold-cocks Anderson with a steel chair while Mazzagatti's back is turned."
lol, while his back is turned ?
he's the earl hebner of the mma world,
he'd likely hand them the fracking chair.
the guy is a piece of crap and can't get through one match with out some sort of screw up.
Posted By: DumDum (Guest) on July 26, 2008 at 09:33 PM
johnson = very matured man.
the stache = needs a new career.
Posted By: guest guest (Guest) on July 27, 2008 at 12:53 AM
I still don't understand how Burns won that fight. UFC should really overturn that decision. When Smith was poked in the eye by Lawler, it was a no contest. What, does UFC use different rules than Elite XC?
Posted By: DC (Guest) on July 27, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Yea that match should be overturned. One look at the replay will show anyone what happened. Stupid ref acts like HIS eye was poked out.
KO by finger poke of DOOM. I wonder if Hogan taught him that one.
Posted By: Champ (Guest) on July 27, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Johnson should've gotten the bonus against Kevin.
I can't believe Kevin also got the bonus for poking people in the eye to win a match
Posted By: Kent Baker (Guest) on July 27, 2008 at 12:15 PM
"What, does UFC use different rules than Elite XC? "
___________________________________________
No, it was just a matter of the ref seeing it in XC and Steve not having a good view in the UFC match.
From Mazzagatti's point of view, he saw Burns strike Johnson and Johnson drop... he just couldn't see the important part- Burns' watch my finger disappear magic trick.
With only 1 ref and no replay rules, unfortunately bad calls happen- and usually stick.
Posted By: Guest#4848 (Guest) on July 27, 2008 at 01:09 PM
