As post-UFC life begins, Titan Fighting 22's Anthony Johnson has no regrets

Cat--Smasher · 04-09-2012, 07:06 AM

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"You better not even ask," Johnson joked about what he currently weighs, when host "Gorgeous" George Garcia asked for his specific poundage on a recent appearance on MMAjunkie.com Radio (MMAjunkie.com Radio | MMAjunkie.com).

Despite the severity of his mistake on the scales, Johnson (10-4) said he doesn't dwell on losing his UFC contract and focuses only on his future — which now comes in Titan Fighting Championship, including a middleweight date against former UFC fighter Dave Branch (10-2) at the HDNet-televised Titan Fighting Championship 22 on May 25 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan.

"I can't hold onto the past or my mistakes," he said. "I've got to learn from them and keep moving. I can't let that stuff haunt me because once it haunts you, I don't think you'll ever get over it."

While "Rumble" admits he was shocked when he first learned he had been cut shortly after losing to Vitor Belfort in Rio De Janeiro in January, he said he doesn't regret trying to move up from welterweight (170 pounds), where he had posted a 7-3 record in the UFC, to middleweight (185) for the co-main event at UFC 142.

"I didn't mind the challenge with Vitor or anyone else," he said. "I try not to have too many regrets in my life. I have a few, but when it comes down to fighting, I don't have any. No point. The bad stuff ain't paying my bills."

Johnson takes full responsibility for his failure to make weight (he weighed in at a whopping 197 pounds), which was the third time he had missed weight in his octagon career.

"When it came down to making weight for 185, I just think my body had to adjust from losing muscle to packing on muscle, then trying to lose it (again)," he said. "My body was just confused. 'What are you doing to me.'"

"But it is what it is. I can't complain about it, I just have to keep going forward and not even think about the past and just think about my future."

The 28-year-old Johnson admits he envisions a return to the UFC, but he doesn't have a certain timetable in mind.

"I don't know," he said. "Of course my ultimate goal is to get back in the UFC, but I'm with Titan right now, so I can't think about anything else."

"I've just got to think about who I'm with and who I have to compete against. I've just got to be ready for David Branch. I'm not thinking about who is in the UFC or what the UFC is doing. When my time comes, it will come."

The 30-year-old Branch — who went 2-2 in the UFC from 2010 to 2011, scoring wins over Tomasz Drwal and Rich Attonito and losses to Gerald Harris and Rousimar Palhares — could offer a stiff test.

"I've heard good things about him," Johnson said of Branch, who has posted back-to-back victories since leaving the UFC. "I heard he's really tough. He's athletic, has good cardio.

"I'm eager to see what he brings to the table and see what I can do against him."

As post-UFC life begins, Titan Fighting 22's Anthony Johnson has no regrets | MMAjunkie.com

dgil · 04-09-2012, 07:33 AM

I hope Branch destroys him.

CtGreat · 04-09-2012, 07:46 AM

No regrets? Really? None? YOu fucked your career in the ass because of your own stupidity, you should absolutely have regrets.

lwbrewer · 04-09-2012, 07:53 AM

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Originally Posted by CtGreat

No regrets? Really? None? YOu f
Ickes your career in the ass because of your own stupidity, you should absolutely have regrets.

Don't hold back lol gotta agree should have regrets

CRisCO · 04-09-2012, 08:11 AM

It sounded like he has regrets just doesn't want to express them outloud because he would have to accept responsiblity for his own actions.

CtGreat · 04-09-2012, 08:28 AM

regret is a natural reaction, you are supposed To feel regret and make your future decisions do tat you never have to feel that emotion ever again. Regret, shame, guilt; these are all emotions that one should utilize to push themselves to do better, not just ignore and act like nothing happened due to your actions.