LAS VEGAS – Anthony Johnson wants to make sure he doesn’t rush his comeback.
It’s been almost four months since former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Johnson announced he will be returning to competition at heavyweight. But he not yet entered the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug testing pool.
At the Quintet Ultra media day, Johnson, who hasn’t competed since his second-round submission loss to Daniel Cormier in April 2017, provided a minor update on his comeback.
“We’re waiting for the right time,” Johnson told MMA Junkie. “We’ve got to make sure everything lines up right. When I come back, I want to make sure everything is good. I don’t want to try and bend any corners or step over anybody. I’m going to do everything legit and in the right way. So when I come back, let’s play ball.”
Johnson will be competing at the Quintet Ultra grappling competition Thursday as part of Team UFC in what will be the second time he competes in a grappling competition since retiring.
And while this competition is a way for Johnson to keep active, he admitted the comeback is not something he’s constantly thinking about.
“Honestly, I’m focused on the comeback, but it’s not like it’s on my mind 24/7,” Johnson said. “Like, when I come back, I’ll be ready, so I don’t really think about it. I just train, and when it’s time, it’s time. Right now, I’m just having fun, enjoying myself. I’ve been gone for two and a half years. It’s nothing to take serious right now. I’m here to enjoy myself, because before, I took everything so serious. That (expletive) is stressful, so I’m like, ‘(Expletive), I’m going to just have some fun, do what I’ve gotta do, whatever happens, happens.’ So that’s why I’m here.”
The Quintet grappling event coincides with UFC 245, which takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The UFC 245 main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+. Quintet Ultra streams on UFC Fight Pass.
