Anthony Johnson on last fight of WSOF contract, says money talks for next deal
When it comes to keeping himself healthy, World Series of Fighting light-heavyweight Anthony Johnson might not be the best advocate for himself.
But when it comes to his career, and his planned longevity, he’s got the right thing in mind.
“I’m going to go where the money is,†Johnson told MMAjunkie Radio. “At the end of the day, this is a business. I’ve got to save money for retirement. I don’t plan on doing this forever.â€
Johnson (15-4) meets fellow UFC vet Mike Kyle (20-9-1) next week in the light-heavyweight co-headliner of World Series of Fighting 8, which takes place Jan. 18 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The event’s main card airs live on NBC Sports Network following prelims on MMAjunkie.
Johnson is on the last bout of his contract with the promotion, and while he claims not to be focused on what happens next, he knows what’s going to happen down the road. The end of the road, in fact. Johnson, 29, said he wants to hang up his gloves at age 35 so he can “talk straight and not have a busted-up face.â€
As a recent injury attests, Johnson doesn’t always have longevity in mind when he steps into the gym. He said he can’t really help himself from taking undue risks.
Take his fight with Kyle, for instance. The bout was scheduled to take place this past month at WSOF 7. Johnson had been cleared to hit things after suffering a broken hand in a heavyweight win over ex-UFC champ Andrei Arlovski this past March at WSOF 2. Only five days after he started training, he re-injured the hand.
Why? He wanted to spar with his bigger, bulkier teammate – UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem.
“I pretty much went from zero to 60 that week, and Alistair came in and he hadn’t been training with us all week, so I said, ‘I’m going to test him and see what he’s got,’†Johnson said.
Five minutes after they started, the fate of his upcoming fight was sealed.
“I was swinging to kill,†Johnson said. “That day, I knew I wasn’t supposed to do it, but I did it anyway. I took a chance when I knew I didn’t have a chance.â€
Johnson does have a chance to save enough cash so that making weight will no longer be a concern, and, in his words, he can “look like (Roy) ‘Big Country’ (Nelson) when I’m done.â€
anthony-johnson-wsof-2Somehow, for his second booking with Kyle, Johnson managed to measure himself in the gym so that he wouldn’t lose out on another opportunity. And recently, he said, his team hired a full-time strength and conditioning coach, who presumably will keep the athletes in top condition and curb injuries.
The addition comes at a key point since Johnson said he wants to fight between three and five times this year.
As for the status of talks with WSOF, he said, “Hell if I know. I’m just focused on the fight right now. I’m just focused on winning, and after the fight, I’ll start thinking about my next step.â€
He later added: “Money’s always a motivation.â€
As a bona fide knockout artist, Johnson shouldn’t have a problem securing big paydays, though outside the UFC, his glass ceiling will be lower. Striking a deal with the industry-leader is the clearest path to financial freedom, though the hardest to realize.
When the promotion released him following a loss to Vitor Belfort and what was his third time failing to make weight, he wasn’t on the best of terms. But his skill set is always in demand.
The door that opens for Johnson is up in the air until he fights Kyle. The answer, though, is on the horizon.
“I feel like I’ve been training for this fight for six months, so I’m really excited to get it over with,†Johnson said. “Hopefully, Mike is ready to get it over with, too.â€
