Misha Cirkunov (photo via Twitter)

By FCF Staff

Anthony Johnson will fight light-heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier in April, but it sounds like “Rumble” is closely monitoring the career of Misha Cirkunov.

Johnson and Cormier will fight in the headliner of UFC 210, which will take place on April 8th in Buffalo. The two battled before in May, 2015, and Cormier won the bout, and the vacant 205 title, by submission.

Recently Johnson appeared on “The MMA Hour”, and the feared slugger acknowledged that former champ Jon Jones should fight the winner of his rematch with Cormier. But, while discussing other contenders in the light-heavyweight division, Johnson said this (quote via MMA Fighting):

“A lot of guys in the weight class have been putting in good work,” Johnson said. “Jimi Manuwa, he just came out of a fight with OSP (Ovince Saint Preux) and knocked him out. That was a clean knockout on his part. Who else is out there? Gus (Alexander Gustafsson) is still out there…”

“I think, besides DC, the one guy that has my attention is, what’s him name, Misha (Cirkunov). That dude is a beast,” Johnson added. “He’s a beast, man. I like his style, and he’s built like a brick house. I think his ass is gangster. I don’t think he’s close, but he’s definitely somebody you’ve got to watch out for.”

The 29 year-old Cirkunov has gone 4-0 to date in the UFC, and is coming off a submission win over Nikita Krylov. Cirkunov is currently a free agent.