Anthony Johnson set for Light Heavyweight Debut at Titan FC 24, Schedules Another Bout for XFN 8
By Chris Leslie on July 29, 2012
Former UFC welterweight Anthony Johnson is set to make his light heavyweight debut against Esteves Jones at Titan FC 24 on August 24. Apparently not wanting to remain idle long, Johnson also has scheduled a second bout within a month against former UFC middleweight Jake Rosholt on September 21. MMAFighting reported both the Jones and Rosholt fights.
Esteves Jones is the former King of the Cage heavyweight and super heavyweight champion. Jones cut to light heavyweight for his most recent bout at WMMA 1, where defeated Deutsch Pu’u by TKO.
Titan FC 24 will also feature the MMA debut of Braulio Estima. Estima has had multiple attempts at his MMA debut but injuries and promotion issues have delayed his debut. Estima recently made news when Nick Diaz no-showed their scheduled grappling match. Estima will face Chris Holland in his MMA debut, Holland recently defeated Phil Baroni.
Johnson will have no time to relax however as he will jump back into action against former UFC middleweight Jake Rosholt. The bout, which will be at light heavyweight, will take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Rosholt is 6-2-1 since being cut by the UFC, his first loss in two years coming to Matt Thompson in his light heavyweight debut. The former Oklahoma State wrestling standout will look to get back on track against Johnson.
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I know everyone here has harped on him for not being able to make weight but man did this guy ever get jobbed in the Koscheck fight.
The fake eye poke in the first, The BLATANT eye poke in the second….Man Rumble was so close to GSP.
Good to see he’s back on the map.
Then he dominated Charlie breenaman and looked very good doing in that fight.
I know I would’ve loved to see him get a title shot at 170… Before he suddenly could not make wait under 195 lol . But he’s a stud and I’m sure he’ll be back
I don’t know, I just don’t see Rumble being effective in this weight class when it comes to the upper echelon of the UFC; and though I know he currently isn’t in the UFC, you still have to keep in mind what to anticipate when you reach the ceiling. He was effective when he could use his size to bully lesser fighters, but take away his size and what do you have left? His wrestling is adequate at best, and his speed advantage that he may enjoy in the new weight class will be nullified by his poor stamina in later rounds. I think he would have fared a lot better in middleweight, if he could just find the discipline to get his weight issues under control.
All he had to do was call Mike Dolce. He’s talented but like John said he had those advantages at 170. He’s not the big bully on the block anymore so now he has to bring more skill to the ballgame. If he believes in his hands more than his wrestling he will do just fine.
I’m not sure it’s quite that simple. His body may have finally quit on long, 50 pound weight cuts. It could be a situation like Daniel Cormier had in Beijing in 2008. If that’s the case, Mike Dolce will be of absolutely no help.