Johnson gives up on facing Jones: 'I know it's not going to happen'

A. Johnson (photo) no longer thinks about facing Jones. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

For a while, Anthony Johnson was seen as the greatest threat to the reign of Jon Jones in the UFC light heavyweight division. However, the American fighter acknowledged that the chances of the duel ever getting off the ground are zero at this point.

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The fight was scheduled for UFC 187, in May of last year. However, Jones ended up being cut from the attraction when he was suspended by Ultimate due to a traffic accident. And, now with the interim champion suspended for doping, Johnson admits that he has already given up on facing his compatriot.

“It’s just not going to happen. At this point in the championship, I know it won't happen. Patience. I'm moving on. All are. I still have ambitious plans and I want to do what I know I am capable of in this sport. But I'm not focused on Jon anymore, and I can say that Daniel Cormier and Glover [Teixeira] are not there either”, he commented, in an interview with the North American broadcaster “ESPN”.

Jones was caught in a surprise drug test before UFC 200, taking estrogen blockers. The expectation is that the athlete will be suspended from fighting for a period of two years. Johnson, in turn, projects that he will already be retired by the time Jones is cleared to fight.

“I’m not going to try to fight until I’m 35. I want to earn my money and then do something different, bigger and better things with my life. I don't want to be punched in the head for too long. There are other things I want to do”, he replied.

Johnson returns to the UFC octagon on August 20, in Las Vegas (USA), when he faces the Brazilian Glover Teixeira. The duel will be the second most important of UFC 202, which will feature a rematch between Conor McGregor e Nate diaz.