John Howard and Anthony Johnson have some beef

[bbjd7]

http://mmamania.com/2009/04/07/ufc-quick-quote-john-howard-is-no-coward/

“I don’t appreciate him calling me a coward or anything like that. He has to understand that the decisions that are made for me are smart decisions. My job is to fight. I don’t make decisions about who to fight or when I’m going to fight, and I don’t pull out of fights … Anthony Johnson has been in the UFC a little longer than me, and it’s not because I’m a coward (that the fight was nixed); it just wasn’t time…. I want to fight him, and the first chance I get the OK to fight him, I will. And he’s going to eat his words, definitely. It’s personal. He’s going to regret ever questioning me.”

– Promising welterweight prospect John Howard tells the Boston Herald about the reason his rumored bout against hard-hitting Anthony Johnson at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 Finale on June 20 fell through. “Doomsday” is also none to pleased about the response from “Rumble,” which questioned his fighting spirit. Howard is now set to battle Tamdan McCrory at UFC on August 8. Menawhile, Johnson has been booked to throw hands with Matt Brown at TUF 9 Finale. If both fighters can win don’t be surprised to see this budding grudge match booked before the 2009 fight campaign comes to a close.

I agree with him. Johnson really had no reason to call Howard a coward I hope they fight but I don't see it happening since Johnson after a win over Matt Brown will be way ahead of John Howard.

But I'd love to see it at this point.

[milkkid]

You seem to be throwing Matt Brown aside a little bit too fast :P

[bbjd7]

I actually didn't mean it that way.

I think Brown is a tough test for Johnson and could beat him.

But I just meant that a win for both guys kinda would mean Johnson is too far ahead of Howard.

[milkkid]

Yeah definately.

I'm real excited for this fight with Brown. I like Brown and Johnson. Both are respectful guys, (aside the coward comment from Johnson), but both are respectful, humble guys and have shown power and striking. Where I think this is Johnson's downfall is his ground game compared to Brown's.

[bbjd7]

I actually think the difference will be Johnson's power, size, and wrestling.

But yea Brown has been suprising me a lot in the UFC.

[milkkid]

Yeah, Johnson has great power and size, but Brown is from the 185 division. I know Johnson's walk around is like 190ish, but what is Brown's?

If Johnson does wreslte Brown to the ground, he better be active the whole time or Brown will catch him. Brown is also working toward his Judo Black Belt and is a blue belt in BJJ.

When it comes to striking, either guys can win. I'd give the striking to Johnson, but Brown isn't a joke either and if either of them land clean, it's going to be lights out.

[bbjd7]

I just think Johnson keeps it standing and puts him to sleep.

But yea on the ground Brown can cause some issues.

[milkkid]

Yeah, standing is more in favor for Johnson, but he has to be careful also because Brown isn't a slouch on the feet either.

What is Brown's walk around weight though? Because if he use to be in 185lb division so I wonder if Johnson will have much of a size advantage.

[bbjd7]

I would guess around 190 he's not a big guy at all but maybe.

[milkkid]

If it is 190, I think Johnson walks at 190ish too? If so, Johnson might not have the great of a size advantage.

[bbjd7]

Johnson however is a lot more muscle bound then Brown so I think even if they are the same weight Johnson will be a lot bigger.

[Brad.Taschuk]

I don't think Brown walks around at 190 anymore. He was probably around that when he was at MW, but now that he fights at WW, I'd assume he's smaller (probably closer to 180ish), because he doesn't look like a big WW who cuts a ton of weight, and he had a fair bit of extra weight that he could easily shed in order to make the cut to 170 a fairly easy one.

[PirateNinja415]

this would be a pretty sweet fight, but this is a step down for johnson. i'd like to see him go up against a top 10 if he gets by brown.

[Wise]

I love me some good beef. It can take an okay fight like Clementi vs Guillard and turn it into a must see.

Woooooooooooooooo.

[LeeM]

I don't like Johnson TBH, he comes across as a tool. I would love for Brown to smash him :)

[Ebc_Kyle]

I'd rather see Brown vs Johnson anyday.

[JT42]

Even though a win over Brown would put Johnson ahead of Howard I wouldnt mind seeing that fight because its not often you get genuine beef in a fight. Usually its made up at the request of the UFC which just seems cheap. But I love watching a true grudge match like Tito/Ken or the upcoming Serra/Hughes