Anthony Johnson will only come out of retirement for a heavyweight fight with Jon Jones

When Anthony Johnson announced his retirement from MMA, a fight many fans were disappointed that didn’t happen is ‘Rumble’ vs. Jon Jones. The fight had major intrigue given the fact Jones had looked unstoppable and Johnson had legitimate one-punch knockout power.

The two were scheduled to fight at UFC 187 but the fight was called off after Jones was involved in a hit and run. From then on, the fight just didn’t come to fruition and Johnson walked away from MMA without ever getting the chance to fight Jones.

But, that doesn’t mean the fight can’t happen, as Johnson says the only way he will return to the UFC is if Jones is staring across the Octagon from him at heavyweight.

“The only way I’d come out of retirement is if Jon Jones goes to heavyweight, and then that’s when I’ll come out of retirement and fight Jon,” Johnson said on the “Into the Weeds” podcast (transcript via MMAJunkie). “I mean, that’s the only guy I want to fight. Because after him, I can officially say I did my job, (and) my mission is complete. Although I didn’t win a title, I fought the best of the best.”

Since retiring from the sport, ‘Rumble’ has turned his attention to bodybuilding and being a business man. Frankly, if it weren’t for UFC President Dana White, Johnson wouldn’t be in the position he is today.

“A lot of people talk trash about Dana White, how he’s a snake and how he’s bad for the sport,” Johnson said. “You know what? Dana, he’s just smart. He’s a businessman.

“Being in the cage and fighting – this happened during the fight, I think after I knocked somebody out. I don’t remember who it was. I remember looking at Dana on the other side of the cage and thinking, ‘Damn, I just put in all this work, and I’m getting the victory and feeling like a winner, but the dude on the other side of the cage is celebrating more than me right now, because he’s not taking one punch. He’s not running one mile, not doing one sit-up or push-up, and he’s making a grip of money.’ I was like, yeah, it’s time for a career change.”

Would you be interested in a Anthony Johnson vs Jon Jones fight at heavyweight? Sound off in the comment section, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/5/2019