Anthony Johnson scheduled to face John Howard at TUF 9 finale on June 20
by Jesse Holland on Mar 2, 2009 12:49 PM EST
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MMAmania.com can confirm that the fight card for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 Finale has at least one bout on paper with the addition of welterweights Anthony Johnson (7-2) and John Howard (11-4), set to do battle at a yet-to-be-named location on June 20.
"Rumble" avenged his controversial loss to Kevin Burns at UFC Fight Night 14 last December, knocking the Iowan senseless with a brutal head kick in the opening seconds of round three. He followed that up with a first round destruction of Luigi Fioravanti at UFC Fight Night 17 back in February.
The 24-year-old Atlanta, Georgia, native has a ton of buzz because of his size, power and fight-finishing ability. He appears to get better each time out, training with Strikeforce champions Cung Le and Josh Thomson.
His road to the upper echelon of 170-pound fighters continues with the surging John Howard.
"Doomsday" earned his shot in the big show courtesy of a solid record fighting in smaller shows throughout the Northeast such as Ring of Combat and Cage Fury Fighting Championships. In his first trip to the Octagon he outpointed the venerable Chris Wilson at UFC 94 on January 31.
It’s going to be a tough test for Howard, but as he will soon find out, there don’t appear to be an easy assignments in the loaded UFC welterweight division.
The SpikeTV event will debut on April 1 and feature the lightweight and welterweight finales for the upcoming ninth season of TUF with coach Dan Henderson leading a US team against coach Michael Bisping and his British squad.
For more on TUF 9 click here.
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rumble by tko round 2
you can’t just throw this guy at someone like rumble he needs a couple of tune up fights to even compete
by randy murders on Mar 2, 2009 12:56 PM EST reply actions
I’ve never heard of this Howard guy. I don’t understand why Johnson isn’t being given a step up in competition.
by rydinlow on Mar 2, 2009 1:02 PM EST reply actions
i think they needed a fight for him and howard was available, i think howard might be a big 170 though
by randy murders on Mar 2, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
They should have at least gave him someone like Ryo Chonan or my boy GOno!
by john on Mar 2, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
actually they should have booked:
Rumble vs. McLovin!
by john on Mar 2, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
Ah, Howard we hardly knew you. This matchup sucks, john knows what’s up.
by NameNotRequired on Mar 2, 2009 6:13 PM EST up reply actions
I wanted to see Johnson vs. Swick. I don’t see why Johnson can’t fight sooner than June 20th. He took no damage in his last fight, and unless he wants a break he could fight a lot sooner than that.
by GregC on Mar 2, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions
hasnt Johnson lost in the UFC? maybe they want to take it slow with him and he has to prove to the UFC that the aint not fluke….ala Houston Alexander….Sokodjou….etc.
by The5thBeatle on Mar 2, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
He’s 4-2 in the UFC (but should be 4-1 thanks to the Maz screw job) His only real loss coming by a Clementi sub. But he should step up in competition instead of sideways (or down in this case from Luigi). I think the UFC is trying to build him up and want to throw him easy fights to get the name recognition going.
by DDT on Mar 2, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
Johnson is in the stage of being built up. Many fighters go through this stage and its a scary step because you build them up by putting them against no names or cans and they get a big head and then lose when the fight is important (see Huerta). I’m hoping Rumble adds a sick KO on his record and then challenges someone with a name instead of letting the UFC pick his opponent.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Mar 2, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
I’d rather see Rumble fight swick or hardy, maybe even kos. this howard guy looks like ashy larry from chappelle show.
by El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Mar 2, 2009 1:07 PM EST reply actions
I don’t think he is ready for that kind of competition yet. Hardy, MAYBE, but swick or KOS i don’t think he is ready to go there yet.
by IhitU.uHITfloor on Mar 2, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe after Swick loses to Saunders, then Rumble can fight him
by El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Mar 2, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
John “Doomsday” Howard fights out of my gym. I think many of you will be surprised when you see him fight “Rumble”. Just like how he stunned everyone beating up Chris Wilson, I knew he would. I’m kind of biased but either way, Doomsday always puts on an exciting fight so it’s win/win for fans.
by bostommmajunkie on Mar 2, 2009 1:33 PM EST reply actions
I wasnt suprised when he beat Wilson. even though Chris went to a decision with Fitch i still dont think he belongs in the ufc.
by belfort_fan on Mar 2, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
Howard just beat Chris Wilson, but I’d rather see Rumble take a step up in competition.
by DB on Mar 2, 2009 1:46 PM EST reply actions
John Howard is a good fighter, but i dont think he is ufc material just yet.
by belfort_fan on Mar 2, 2009 2:00 PM EST reply actions
Chris wilson is good but not like everyone says he is. that dude is so hyped up. i think Howard should fight some lesser competition first and Rumble should fight some stiffer comp.
by belfort_fan on Mar 2, 2009 2:01 PM EST reply actions
There’s a big chance that John Howard takes this… could easily be fight of the night!
by JonnyBoy on Mar 2, 2009 2:20 PM EST reply actions
Why the F**K is Rumble not facing Koscheck?!? That would be an amazing fight to throw up right now! Poor match making in this instance I feel.
by oskarbravo on Mar 2, 2009 2:40 PM EST reply actions
I agree with you oskarbravo. Kos and Rumble would be a very exciting match up.
by JayZ on Mar 2, 2009 2:57 PM EST reply actions
I don’t see that match-up being to exciting, at least not at this point. Imo Kos is going to use his wrestling a lot more bc he is going to be shy to trade punches again. I’m afraid we might see the old Kos in his next match. What he needs to do with his improved stand-up is use it to set up his takedowns. If Kos can really get some sub skills than he will be a force. I would rather see him sub a guy than L&P for 15min as I’m sure all of you would rather see too. I was never a fan of his, but I give him mad respect as of late due to his willingness to fight anybody at anytime!
by BOW on Mar 2, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
Kos (one of Dana’s Golden Boys) just had an upset loss, why would he throw him to the wolves against Johnson.
by redrhino24 on Mar 2, 2009 7:10 PM EST reply actions
This will be a tough fight for Anthony, this fight could go either way.
by the spyder on Mar 3, 2009 9:42 AM EST reply actions
KOS will eat Johnsons lunch, Im not sure what all this throw him to the wolves talk is all about.
by the spyder on Mar 3, 2009 9:43 AM EST reply actions
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