Anthony Johnson only needs 13 seconds to knockout Glover Teixeira

Anthony Johnson wasn’t mentally prepared to face Glover Teixeira on their original fight date of July 23.

He said he needed to postpone the fight with Teixeira in order to deal with a family issue.

“That’s all handled,” Johnson said. “I just needed a week, two weeks to get it situated, so I can get myself mentally prepared. If they hadn’t agreed to postponing it I was done. I was so burnt out.”

The time off must have helped because on Saturday at UFC 202, the light heavyweight known as “Rumble” did what he does best — knock opponents out.

In the co-main event of the Nate Diaz-Conor McGregor card at T-Mobile Arena, it took Johnson only 13 seconds to knock Teixeira out with a vicious right uppercut.

Johnson (22-5) said he predicted the outcome, but never imagined it would be that quick.

“Not 13 seconds, but I knew I would knock him out eventually,” said Johnson, who has had five KO victories within a minute. “I had pictured it for a while now. I told my coach this morning, ‘If I knock Glover out, it’s going to be by uppercut.’ I just knew if I hit him with an uppercut it would be lights out.”

As soon as the bell rang, Teixeira (25-5), went charging at Johnson, arguably the hardest puncher in the UFC. Johnson then caught Teixeira with a left hand to set up the uppercut. After it hit, the Brazilian went down dazed onto the canvas and fell over again attempting to get up.

Johnson’s quick work sets him up for a showdown rematch with light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. Johnson lost to Cormier in a third-round submission for the vacant belt in May 2015.

“I’m just looking forward to it again,” Johnson said about facing Cormier. “This is something I’ve wanted for a long time. I want to compete against the best. This is my second chance at a title and I want to dominate.”

Unlike the fighters on the main event, Johnson and Teixeria praised each other throughout the week. The 32-year-old Johnson has also been respectful of the light heavyweight champion.

Cormier has been on record of saying he’ll give Johnson a shot at the belt next. The former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will have to get behind “Rumble” on the wait list.

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow him on Twitter: @gmanzano24