VIDEO | Newly released Anthony Johnson sparring footage

By Tom Taylor - September 28, 2016

https://youtu.be/xe8aTuP3z8w

Anthony Johnson

It’s no secret that Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is one of the hardest hitters in MMA. The top-ranked light heavyweight has showcased his incredible power time and time again, scoring blistering knockout wins over game competition in Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Alexander Gustafsson and most recently, Jimi Manuwa, Ryan Bader, and Glover Teixeira.

With such incredible power packed into his fists and shins, Rumble undoubtedly has a difficult time finding willing sparring partners. Luckily, he trains alongside the Blackzilians in Boca Raton, Florida – a team that is home to talented fighters like Tyrone Spong, Rashad Evans, Stefan Struve, Thiago Silva, and the up-and-coming C. Denzel Freeman.

Rumble Johnson

In the video above, you can watch an incredibly ballsy Freeman spar with Rumble, absorbing some of the light heavyweights crippling power shots, and even land a few strikes of his own – including a nice spin kick to the body.

Though the video above shows that Rumble is staying fight-ready, he does not currently have a fight booked. That said, the streaking light heavyweight – who began his UFC as a welterweight – is apparently being considering as an opponent for returning former champion Jon Jones. The two were briefly scheduled for a title fight in 2015, though Jones’ brushes with the law nixed that planned bout. The winner of this potential 2016 showdown between Rumble and the troubled former champ would then take on the reigning champion Daniel Cormier for the undisputed title.

Rumble2

Rumble and Cormier have met once previously. Though Rumble very nearly flattened his foe in the first round of that encounter, he ultimately surrendered to a third-round rear-naked choke. Jones has also fought Cormier once before, walking away from their fight with a hard-fought unanimous decision win.

Would you rather see Rumble fight Jones or Cormier next? How do you think the Blackzilians fighter fares agains these two possible opponents? Sound off, PENN nation!


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