Anthony Johnson Says He Feels Bad About Beating Alexander Gustafsson & Stealing Swede’s Title Shot

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One could make an argument for Anthony Johnson being the UFC’s greatest comeback stories.

Johnson entered UFC on FOX 14 in Stockholm, Sweden as the underdog, in what was truly billed as a homecoming fight for Alexander Gustafsson where the Swede would just be going through the motions ahead of a rematch against Jon Jones. Instead, Johnson clawed his way to a TKO victory and will reportedly flight for the light heavyweight championship in May.

After “Rumble” saw Gustafsson’s reaction to the loss, he said that he felt bad about his win and opened up about this feeling on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour.

“I did [feel bad] because, I mean, we all knew what the deal was before the fight,” he told Ariel Helwani. “He was supposed to have his title shot and then he got injured, and then Jon and DC [Daniel Cormier] had their beef going on, so they let that fight continue, even though I think DC got hurt. And Alex should have had his title shot back then. It should have been Alex fighting instead of DC. But this is the UFC. This is their business so, they can do what they have to do. It’s Zuffa.

“It just seems like he’s been through Hell and back to get his rematch for a title, and he just didn’t get his opportunity again. I mean, I felt bad for him. So when he was crying, to me that’s what was going through my head. I was like damn, his dreams just got shot to hell. I just felt bad about it.”

Johnson also responded to allegations that he might have headbutted Gustafsson just prior to finishing him.

“There wasn’t no headbutt,” he said. “I don’t remember touching him at all. I don’t remember a headbutt or anything at all. I heard his corner say throw the push kick, and I heard it, and I was ready for it whenever he did it. I just didn’t think it was going to be at that moment, but I was expecting it. And when he did it I didn’t even get a fresh hit on him. I kind of hit him on the jaw line and the neck at the same time.