He’s the pound-for-pound hardest hitter in MMA and there’ll be no debate about it.
If any part of Anthony Johnson’s fist hits your head, you will quickly find yourself dreaming of a time when the former welterweight was missing weight so that, at least, you’d have some bit of purse compensation to look forward to.
But Johnson’s a light heavyweight now. And he’s one of the best in the world.
His main event match-up with Ryan Bader at UFC on Fox 18 was essentially an unofficial title eliminator for a shot at the winner of the Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones rematch.
And ‘Rumble’ decided early on to take his fate out of the hands of the judges by recording his fifteenth career knockout.
It’s not often that ground-and-pound from back mount results in a genuine consciousness-robbing knockout but Johnson’s victory was definitely more than a TKO.
“Rumble ground and pound!” @Anthony_Rumble knockouts @ryanbader in the first round! ???? #UFCNewJersey https://t.co/SxiDdxN6Ia
— #UFCNewJersey (@btsportufc) January 31, 2016
Bader’s legs went limp under the weighty, undefended strikes from ‘Rumble’ which forced referee Keith Peterson to jump in and call a stop to proceedings.
He is a scary, scary man.
Fuuuuuuck having Rumble pounding your skull in
— Robert Whiteford (@Flyinjudoka) January 31, 2016
This is death. #UFConFOX18
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) January 31, 2016
Johnson has some serious power. @UFC
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) January 31, 2016
He's not a champion but @Anthony_Rumble just might be the baddest man on the planet. Can't teach that power. Frightening.
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) January 31, 2016
@Anthony_Rumble is a big scary man! the power he posseses is ridiculous!
— Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) January 31, 2016
@Anthony_Rumble with a ground game is easily the most dangerous fighter in the UFC period . Beware !!!!
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 31, 2016
Damn. Johnson's a beast. Classy/humble post fight interview as well. #Respect
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) January 31, 2016
