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Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:00 pm EDT

Anthony Johnson interview: GSP could be in store for a rough future

By Steve Cofield

Georges St. Pierre's dominant win at UFC 100 again left many claiming there's no one left for the champ defend his belt against at welterweight. That's hogwash. There's always a new challenger right around the corner. The winner of Mike Swick and Martin Kampmann at UFC 103 will certainly be a stiff test. And with the weight of 170 pounds being so common, there's surely a wave of young 20-somethings who'll be ready to go sooner than later. Anthony Johnson, 25, thinks he can be the guy down the road that GSP needs to fear.

"He's not the reason 170 is the way it is," said Johnson. "Yeah, you got guys he's already beat and these guys are coming back better and stronger than before. I think the 170 division is still going to be the best division in the sport."

"GSP will lose eventually. I think anybody and everybody he's facing now ill give him a run for his money. He's going to have to fight to keep that title."

Johnson was also very critical of UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar saying he wasn't impressed and doesn't see what the big guy is doing to help the sport.

If you're in the Southern California area, join Anthony Johnson and dozens of fighters who are playing in the MMA Agent Golf Tournament on August 11 to benefit Ryan Bennett's family. Bennett was a veteran MMA media member who passed away in 2006. Bennett was survived by his wife and four kids. Hit MMAagents.com to play in the tournament in Fontana, Ca. on the Sierra Lakes Golf Course.

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40 Comments

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  1. Robert C
    1. Posted by Robert C Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:11 pm EDT

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    I suppose when GSP is 35 years old, yeah, I suppose a young buck could take him then. But for now, the only person I see beating him is the Spider. And I don't even see that as a fair fight, since the Spider is a lot bigger. B
  2. P52
    2. Posted by P52 Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    Anthony Johnson is awesome, so much fun to watch fight. Can't argue too much with his comments, but I do think GSP will beat anyone who fights him in the near future.
  3. heckaguy
    3. Posted by heckaguy Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:49 pm EDT

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    LMAO. Beating up women is not the best thing to do. AJ should not be commenting on other people's behavior. And he's clueless when it comes to analyzing fights. Now I am going to root agains the guy.
  4. demonroute666
    4. Posted by demonroute666 Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:01 pm EDT

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    Maybe for Mike Swick and Martin Kampmann but if GSP ends the spider afterwards then the winner of that fight may take either Jon Fitch or Dan Hardy.
  5. pownurface
    5. Posted by pownurface Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:31 pm EDT

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    definitely a great point on brock. although, i dont think there is a 170 lb. fighter that can beat gsp right now. p4p he is one of the strongest in the class and he is constantly evolving as a fighter. spider wont move down to 170, but i dont think gsp will move up either...he likes where he is at too much.
  6. Big Johnson
    6. Posted by Big Johnson Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:47 pm EDT

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    AJ is right about brock and thats about it, GSP is at the top of his game and still improving every time he fights, he will lose someday but not anytime soon. All of the best fighters eventually lose to a younger fighter. MMAONTAP had an article about a possible catchweight at 178lbs or 180 lbs. , It would be a good fight
  7. heckaguy
    7. Posted by heckaguy Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

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    For those who think Brock used no skill, think again. He put on a BJJ clinic against a black belt. Go to you tube and type in "Destroying the half guard" (without the quotes), and you can listen to a BJJ black belt and instructor break down the BJJ aspect of the Lesnar/Mir fight. It's an awesome video. And it just emphasizes the fact that most UFC fans don't understand grappling.
  8. james g
    8. Posted by james g Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:57 pm EDT

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    yo wake up call to know is to not know all it takes is one something any one any time any weight class any champion percieves the knowledge no one will remain the best or remain unbeaten for theirs is for a time in as much we only see the past ps there is 10 times better than any mma fighters they choose not to prove it ?
  9. Jeff C
    9. Posted by Jeff C Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    Did anyone see Serra/GSP 1? Takes one punch ,lucky or not.He will lose,and so will the next guy.
  10. Jeff C
    10. Posted by Jeff C Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:30 pm EDT

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    seriously
  11. james g
    11. Posted by james g Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:35 pm EDT

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    hey jeff kinda says it all 1 punch make or break gives new meaning to who is as opposed to who was on any given fight
  12. james g
    12. Posted by james g Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:37 pm EDT

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    hey kelly you are advertising a fight what the hell does mma got to do with your post ???????????????????????????????
  13. Sandman
    13. Posted by Sandman Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:01 am EDT

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    It is so funny how yahoo/Cofield will take down a blogger's comment in 2 seconds if it is critical of yahoo or Cofield's brand of journalism. Nevertheless, they keep span running 24-7 on this site. What a Joke.
  14. Joe T
    14. Posted by Joe T Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:04 am EDT

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    Yes, GSP is a phenomenal athlete. Yes, he probably even deserved to named Canadas "Athlete of the year". But for him to be the pound for pound best fighter in the world according to the MMA rankings is ridiculous. Fedor is, was, and (until someone can come up with a better record against top athletes,) will always be the greatest pound for pound fighter in the world of MMA. Fedor moves down a couple of weight classes and GSP moves up a few, they get in the cage together, who wins??? Duh.... They'd be scraping GSP up with butterknifes and putting him in a pizza box.
  15. mystaryte
    15. Posted by mystaryte Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:05 am EDT

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    If he has been arrested for this recently, the interviewer didn't ask him about it. Where is this article that his abuse charge is found? You would think that would be the 1st thing to ask him about!
  16. mathiasmorciglio
    16. Posted by mathiasmorciglio Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:28 am EDT

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    Anthohy Johnson is really good, and a dangerous opponent even for GSP, but he's not ready yet. Swick and Kampmann are both legit contenders. As far as GSP vs. Silva, I don't know. If A. Silva can keep the fight on the feet for even a little bit GSP will go down.
  17. marky marks
    17. Posted by marky marks Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:13 am EDT

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    maybe anthony johnson should check this out first, before runnig his mouth against the p4p best fighter in the world, yes he dethroned fedor fair and square, theres no argument there.
    http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/7/29/966346/usat-sbn-july-mma-consensus
  18. marky marks
    18. Posted by marky marks Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:14 am EDT

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    http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2009/7/29/966346/usat-sbn-july-mma-consensus
  19. marky marks
    19. Posted by marky marks Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:17 am EDT

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    this stupid site is not letting me post a direct link, youre gonna have to copy paste to see the truth. that jackass anthony jackson is ranked no 25 WW in the world. nuff said. loser is just trying to get his name out there, by bashing gsp and brock.
  20. Matthew T
    20. Posted by Matthew T Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:16 am EDT

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    Joe T, I think your opinion sucks!! Look at the competition GSP has faced in the past 3 years compared to that of Fedor! I agree that a few years back that Fedor was #1 P4P but that's not the case anymore. Besides his last two fights, where was the reall threat of danger in his opponents compared to GSP's? Get with the program!
  21. Rob R
    21. Posted by Rob R Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:53 am EDT

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    Anthony Johnson has a bright future, and he's a lot of fun to watch, but I can't see him beating GSP anytime soon. I know anyone can win with one punch...but you get the point. Swick would get hammered...Kampmann might give GSP some difficulty, but nothing he can't handle.
    GSP is the #1 P4P fighter in the world...Period. There isn't a chip shot in his resume over the past few years. The loss to Serra (a good fighter) was an anomaly. The second fight showed how much of an anomaly it was.
  22. BOSS
    22. Posted by BOSS Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:23 am EDT

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    I think people just have short memories. It's like that in all professional sports. One day we're all about one thing and suddenly its another. I dont think there's any doubt Fedor and Anderson are the top 2 guys in this sport hands down. The only debate is which one of those two are number 1. Fedor is yet to lose and we can all say he hasnt fought top tier competition, but I'd say even thats debatable. And what, the only knock on Anderson is his fights havent been exciting enough? He hasnt even lost in the UFC. Hell, he hasnt even been challenged. Its kinda like BJ Penn, it was pretty unanimous how dominant he was, now he's ranked like #3 in his own division that he's the champ in. Short memories. He loses to a superior fighter who obviously a majority of ppl think is the best in the world. (GSP) And now everyone thinks he's a chump whose not well rounded and doesnt stand a chance against Kenny Florian. Really? GSP is awesome, dont get me wrong. But in my opinion he's beatable and not #1. Just like in my opinion BJ Penn is still the cream of the crop in the lightweight division. Silva #1, Fedor #2, GSP #3
  23. Rob R
    23. Posted by Rob R Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:52 am EDT

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    I can certainly see the argument for Silva over GSP. Fedor though...How much credibility can we give a guy who fights Zulu, HMC, and a middleweight Lindland...and does some stupid exhibition against a lightweight Aoki? I know he just beat two former UFC heavyweight champs...but one of them is Tim Sylvia, and the other was winning the fight until lights out time. If his next fight is against someone who matters (that would include Rogers or Overeem), and he wins by KO, I'd be OK putting him back on top. But not right now.
    I have no idea who is ranking BJ Penn anywhere other than #1 in the lightweight division. That's crazy talk. He's not head and shoulders above everyone in his division like GSP and Silva...but he's definitely the best.
    Alvarez...He's the Bellator champ...Wow. Hellboy and Kawajiri are nice wins...but what has he done since the loss to Aoki? And are his wins really that much better than Stevenson and Sherk? Aoki just lost to Hansen by KO a year ago and hasn't done much but beat Alvarez and lose to Sakurai (in 30 seconds) since. If Penn beats Florian, they need to fix those rankings.
  24. Frank Buster Barns
    24. Posted by Frank Buster Barns Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:12 am EDT

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    Brock Rocks with his big sword that looks like a thing you guys want to suck that's why you read so called straight dudes say that it looks like a big hard.... He controlled Mir with one arm and pounded him silly. AJ should just fight and prove himself the last guy said I am going to shock the world Blah blah blah blah.....Spider better first beat that big goof ball in a dominating fashion or start being a hyped up Itsy Bitsy Spider then we can talk GSP vs ASS
  25. BOSS
    25. Posted by BOSS Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:14 am EDT

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    Rob R... I think the penn rankings are crazy too! I subscribe to FIGHT magazine, which is a pretty good magazine, very insightful and all that good stuff. But recently the rankings in there have really pis$ed me off. Since April theyve had penn as low as 4th on the list and the last 3 months he's been third. The worst part is kenflo is ranked above him every month? With Joachim Hansen being number one, Florian 2 and Penn 3. I dont get those. THey still have Tito as #10 in light heavyweight. Other than the odd rankings the magazine is pretty good. I believe they have Silva #1, GSP 2 and Fedor 3. So if Silva beats Forrest and the UFC signs Fedor and he beats his first opponent how would u put the rankings then?

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