UNCASVILLE, Conn. – For months, Bellator president Scott Coker has repeated his claim Bellator has the best light heavyweight division in MMA.
That can certainly be debated, but Wednesday, Coker added another notable name to his 205-pound division in a move that surprised the masses when Bellator signed Anthony Johnson to its light heavyweight roster.
“I’m very excited to have him on board here,” Coker told MMA Junkie after the Bellator 254 weigh-ins. “Here’s this guy that always will bring it. I’ve never seen him in a boring fight. It’s been, what? Two or three years since he’s fought? I think we’re going to get a brand new A.J., but his fighting style is something I’ve always respected and really enjoyed watching.
“When you get a fighter like that, of that quality, with a lot of upside, (and) you put him in our 205-pound weight class, it’s the best 205-pound weight class on the planet. To me, he’s just going to add a lot of great fights in that division. I’m looking forward to getting him in there and just start mixing it up and let these guys fight it out.”
Johnson has not competed since April 2017 but has remained visible in the combat sports spotlight. As a Bare Knuckle FC rep, Johnson made appearances at the promotion’s events appearing bulked up. Upon the revelation he would return to MMA, Johnson had hinted at a move to heavyweight.
While Bellator is open to having him competing in multiple weight classes, Johnson’s immediate future is at 205 pounds, according to Coker.
“I think if you see pictures of him recently, they said he’s going to be comfortable at 205,” Coker said. “If he wants to fight at heavyweight, we’ll give him that opportunity as well. I think at 205, we have some great matchups for him. We’re going to let them all ‘rumble’ it out.”
Coker didn’t give a timeline for Johnson’s debut but indicated it won’t be for a title. Given the layoff, Johnson needs to shake off the rust before he gets a title shot, per his new boss.
“He’s probably going to want to fight a couple of fights because he hasn’t been fighting,” Coker said. “To me, I think that (first there will be) a couple of fights. Then, the sky is the limit.”
Bellator returns Thursday with Bellator 254 at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card streams on CBS Sports Network after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Scott Coker lays out Bellator’s plan for newly signed Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson
