No longer a ‘knucklehead,’ Anthony Johnson wins over new UFC fans

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A masterful performance in an upset of Phil Davis in April propelled Anthony Johnson up the rankings in the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight division.

The victory also earned Johnson plenty of new fans.

“A lot of people on social media hit me up and said, ‘Hey, I doubted you, and you truly proved me wrong, so I’m a fan now,’ ” Johnson said. “Now they’re fans. I guess I just have to keep making the doubters believe.”

There aren’t many naysayers remaining.

Johnson is ranked as the No. 5 contender in the 205-pound division just 2½ years after he was released from the UFC for missing weight for a third time.

He has a chance to move up more with a win over veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira on the UFC on Fox 12 card Saturday at SAP Center.

Johnson didn’t need the dominant unanimous decision over Davis as affirmation.

“I thought I was a contender before I even fought Phil,” Johnson said. “I guess I can’t even say contender, but I felt I was better than a lot of guys in the top 10, anyway. The word contender still hasn’t registered in my head, but I’ll take it if you give it to me.

“I think my performance really made a statement to everybody out there, though.”

What it really did was help shape a new narrative for Johnson’s career. He entered the UFC as an ultra-talented — and massive — welterweight. Johnson often had difficulty making 170 pounds, missing badly twice.

He moved up to middleweight in January 2012 but couldn’t make the 185-pound limit for a bout against Vitor Belfort. Johnson, who now refers to himself at that time as a “knucklehead,” was released after losing to Belfort.

Competing outside the UFC, Johnson won six straight fights, including four by knockout after moving up to light heavyweight. He was re-signed by the UFC to challenge Davis, who was on the verge of earning a title fight.

Johnson destroyed him for 15 minutes. It wasn’t just that the light heavyweight was 35 pounds heavier than when he first entered the UFC. He appeared to be a completely different fighter.

The 30-year-old says there’s a reason it looks that way.

“I’m smarter, that’s for sure,” he said. “I’m not as dumb, more patient, calmer. I just see life differently now. I actually care. Before, I was just an athlete, and I thought my athletic ability would get me by. I didn’t train like I needed to. I didn’t dedicate myself like I needed to. Now, it’s the complete opposite. I straight up dedicate all of my talent and skills into the gym. My coaches put a ton of time into me, and I don’t want to disappoint them. I don’t want to disappoint the fans or myself or my family.

“I just want to make sure I utilize everything that’s been given to me.”

Now Johnson finds himself in a similar position to Davis a few months ago. Johnson is now the favorite with a chance to seal his status among the division’s elite. He hopes to avoid a similar fate.

Nogueira, who has been out of action since February 2013 with a variety of injuries, welcomes the challenge.

“Anthony’s very good,” he said. “He’s tough and dangerous, but I’m very prepared to fight this guy. It’s a good match for me. I think I need to use my experience. I’ve been fighting for much longer. That’s where I think my advantage is in this fight.

“My last fight was the same way where I was an underdog. I tried to prove to people that they’re wrong.”

Johnson, a minus-600 favorite, isn’t looking past the 38-year-old Brazilian.

“He can end this fight in one punch or with a quick submission just like I can, and I’ve got to respect that,” Johnson said. “He’s a vet. He’s been around a long time, and I’m pretty sure he’s got some tricks up his sleeve that he hasn’t shown anybody.

“I just have to make sure I’m on point. I think he’s going to bring it more than anybody thinks.”

If Johnson can do what’s expected of him, the new fans will keep flocking to his corner.

■ NOTE — UFC welterweight star Nick Diaz has decided to end his retirement. The 30-year-old last fought in March 2013, losing to then-welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. No fight has been announced for Diaz’s return.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.