Anthony Johnson Rumbling His Way to Middleweight

At the UFC 104 weight-ins, that was more than a little concern for welterweight prospect Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson, who was clearly unstable and lightheaded after a marathon weight cutting session.

He came in at an embarrassing 176 lbs, one of the most overweight fighters we have ever seen. While this is often a sign of laziness, it is very clear that Johnson is still a young man and has simply out grown his weightclass.

Reports are that Johnson walks around at 200 lbs and came into camp at 190 lbs, which would be ideal if he was attempting to make middleweight. Johnson has stated that he can't lift weights because he will gain too much muscle mass to make weight.

By all reports, UFC match maker Joe Silva was furious at Johnson after he failed to make weight. Johnson has championship potential but is not ready to fight GSP now and Silva made it clear that Johnson had one more fight at welterweight, if that.

At welterweight, Johnson is a giant, with imposing speed and insurmountable strength and these physical gifts will follow him to middleweight. I am more convinced that his skills will come with him with the quote about he doesn't weight train.

Hit the weight room, add more muscle, become a middleweight, and feast on the soft mid-level fighters while he develops his skills. It is hard to argue that Johnson wouldn't be able to step into the Octagon with Alan Belcher, Partick Cote, Chael Sonnen, or Wilson Gouveia and not leave without his hand getting raised.

I think a reason why Johnson is resistant to the switch is that his coach and mentor Cung Le is a currently an MMA fighter at Middleweight. Being a welterweight helps prevent any chance, no matter how slim, that they will meet in a match. Teacher-vs-student situations are often awkward and rarely enjoyable experiences for both parties.

But Le's career leads him more and more to Hollywood and less to Las Vegas these days and I believe he will talk Johnson into moving up a weight-class and possibly being Anderson Silva's final UFC challenge in a year or two.