Johnson (photo) is looking for his ninth consecutive victory, his third since returning to the UFC. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
European fans, especially Swedish and Irish fans, are often cited as some of the most fanatical fans of MMA. And it is precisely the Swedish public rooting for a local athlete that the light heavyweight Anthony Johnson will face next Saturday (24), when he faces Alexander Gustafson in the main fight of UFC on FOX 14. Johnson, however, guarantees that he has no problems with this as he has already had experience with an audience, in his opinion, even more hostile: Brazilians.
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“If I can deal with the public in Brazil, I can deal with any public. Brazilian fans are crazy, especially if you are facing a Brazilian! I'm definitely not afraid, I've already dealt with the Brazilian fans”, said Johnson, during the “Media Day” of the Swedish event, this Wednesday (21). “I don’t care if I’m the underdog or the favorite, I’m going to hit you the same way, I’m going to try to take your head off anyway,” he added.
the experience of Anthony Johnson in Brazil happened in 2012, when the North American fought in the co-main fight of UFC Rio 2 against Vitor belfort, who would later become his training partner at the gym blackzilians. On that occasion, Vitor won by submission in the second round, thus causing the dismissal of the North American – who had also been having problems making weight. This was, in fact, the last defeat for Johnson, who has won eight fights since then and returned to Ultimate in April last year.
The duel against Alexander Gustafson can pay off by winning a chance against the champion Jon Jones, but, according to Johnson himself, this is not his main concern. “For me, it will be important because it will show me where I am as an elite athlete in this sport. It doesn't matter if I get a title shot and it doesn't matter Jon Jones, but where I am close to the top athletes in MMA. For him (Gustafsson), a rematch against the Jon Jones, he has his own goals, but I'm just here enjoying life and fighting. I’m not worried about the fight for the title”, he guaranteed.
With an eye on the belt, or not, Anthony Johnson e Alexander Gustafson face each other this Saturday (24), in Tele2 Arena, in Stockholm, Sweden. The duel is the main fight of UFC on FOX 14, which features a clash between Gegard Mousasi e Dan Henderson as co-main event. In addition, the main card also features two other fights: Ryan bader x Phil Davis and Akira Corassani x Sam Sicilia.
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