Report: Anthony Johnson Will Fight Jake Rosholt Four Weeks After His Light-Heavyweight Debut

Anthony Johnson was booked to face former UFC prospect Jake Rosholt in a light-heavyweight bout at Xtreme Fight Night 8 on September 21 — just four weeks after Johnson’s scheduled light-heavyweight debut against Esteves “Quiet Riot” Jones at Titan Fighting Championships 24.

Anthony Johnson Books Back-to-Back Fights

Booking a second fight before completing the first carried an obvious risk. An injury or knockout loss against Jones could have jeopardized Johnson’s scheduled meeting with Rosholt.

Jake Rosholt’s Move to Light Heavyweight

Rosholt, a former middleweight, had been released by the UFC following a first-round submission loss to Kendall Grove at UFC 106 in November 2009. He subsequently went 6-2 with one no-contest, with five of those victories coming by first-round stoppage.

Rosholt moved to 205 pounds in June but lost to Matt Thompson via kneebar. The Johnson matchup therefore represented another opportunity for both former UFC fighters in their new division.

Xtreme Fight Night 8 was scheduled for the Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.