“Rumble” Johnson plans on taking Ryan Bader’s soul

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson may be one of the most elite light heavyweight fighters in the octagon today, but he has already had his chance at the championship. He fell short of capturing the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 187 against Daniel Cormier and is now in the position that he has to work his way back to the top despite being ranked above the rest of his competition.

After Cormier successfully defended his championship against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 192, all signs pointed to Ryan Bader finally getting his shot at the title. The return of Jon Jones put a money wrench in plans, however, and Bader was pushed to the side once again in favor of “Bones”. Bader is currently riding a five fight win streak which is impressive for the stacked division and he will be putting that all on the line when he steps into the octagon with “Rumble” Johnson at UFC on FOX 18 on January 30th.

Johnson has the utmost respect for Bader, but knows it’ll be all business when they step into the octagon in 2016. Johnson will not hold back, and he vows to claim Bader’s soul. “I plan on running through him,” Johnson said during a Q&A session before UFC Fight Night 77. “I’ll take his soul.”

Johnson is hoping a meeting with the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones will be in the books again, and knows somebody will be looking at their own eyelids when the fight is said and done. “I think it’s great that Jon Jones came back,” Johnson continued. “That’s more competition for the 205 weight class. It would be fun. Somebody is going to sleep in this fight, trust me.”

Who do you think will come out on top in Johnson’s fight with Bader? Will Johnson ever square off with Jones? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Transcribed by MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz