Anthony Johnson considers a stay in middleweight after UFC 142
by Hubert Lau on January 05, 2012

Anthony Johnson looking to stay at middleweight even after his fight at UFC 142 against Vitor Belfort according to mmafighting.com.

"Right now, middleweight is where I am. That's all I'm thinking about, and I really don't mind fighting middleweight because I get to eat more now. So like I said, I feel 1000 times better than I did when I fought at 170, so that's why I'm so happy and want to fight really bad," Johnson said.

Johnson has been fighting in the UFC's welterweight division since his debut at UFC Fight Night: Stout vs. Fisher. Johnson has always been known to be one of the larger welterweights, cutting weight from as high as 215lbs. Despite the substantial weight cut, Johnson hasn't seriously considered a career in the middleweight division until his upcoming fight with Belfort.

"This is going to be a lot of fun for me. So that's why I feel so good because I don't have to cut the weight that I used to cut and I'm more explosive; I'm more athletic. Everything has just come to where it needs to be right now. I'm peaking at the right time," Johnson said.

Johnson is currently on a two fight win streak, defeating Dan Hardy and Charlie Brenneman. Perhaps on par with Johnson's bout with Josh Koscheck, Belfort will be one of his toughest test to date. Belfort last fought at UFC 133, knocking out Yoshihiro Akiyama in the first round.

Both men have deadly striking but Johnson has a noticeable advantage on the ground with his wrestling which can negate any danger Belfort posses on the feet. This was put on full display in Johnson's bout against Hardy where Johnson out-wrestled the British striker to a unanimous decision victory.

Johnson vs. Belfort is set for January 14 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Will Johnson have a successful debut in the UFC's middleweight division or will Belfort notch another "W" to his record?

 |  (27) Comments GO HARD: was that even a question?? lol arlovskiviako: he should stay arlovskiviako: It's definitely more healthy for him. 0311USMC: He is now considering a spot in the unemployment line. HA HA!! 0311USMC: I just found an article that said he had no feeling in his legs and thats when the dr's told him to re-hydrate. MAStudent: One of the great things about MMA is that non-true fighters get strained out. It may be hard for even he himself to believe, when Johnson looks in the morror at all his muscles and thinks about his dynamic movement patterns, but those are not necessarily indicators of MMA success. IMO the truth is AJ just isnt that great of a fighter. He is explosive, but he is clunky, and even at what he probably thinks is his best, he leaves tons of holes in his defense when he strikes and kicks. His MMA wrestling really isn't that great, and to be honest he doesn't have the brains to be elite. GO HARD: yeah i can agree with that... hes like that ball player that can jump higher than the rest, but doesnt want to practice jump shots. q: / if you aint complete in your sport, you will get exposed. JujitsWho: Sonnan is above Belfort at MW IMO. Vitor is climbing tho. If Sonnan doesn't fight soon, that could change. GO HARD: yeah me too... but at least it would be some better comp for Lombard.
HOW WILL THE THIAGO ALVES VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN FIGHT END AT UFC ON FX 2?
Alves def. Kampmann via TKO/KO
Alves def. Kampmann via submission
Alves def. Kampmann via decision
Kampmann def. Alves via TKO/KO
Kampmann def. Alves via submission
Kampmann def. Alves via decision
TAKE ANOTHER POLL!