Johnson (photo via blackzilians.com)

By FCF Staff

Although Anthony Johnson hasn’t fought in the UFC since 2012, thanks to a six fight win streak, the promotion has tapped him to fight light-heavyweight contender Phil Davis tonight. It’s a massive opportunity for Johnson, considering Davis is currently ranked #4 in the UFC’s 205 pound division.

So does Johnson feel any pressure going into the bout? Especially since his first run in the UFC was plagued with weight cutting issues?

While speaking to UFC.com recently, here is some of what Johnson had to say about his mindset heading into UFC 172:

“I think the last time I felt pressure for a fight was with Vitor (Belfort),” said Johnson, who failed to make weight for the middleweight bout, and lost by submission. “Ever since then, I haven’t felt any pressure. Pressure and being nervous kind of went out the window after I fought Vitor. (Laughs) I decided to really not care about that stuff and give it my all even more and stop listening to the critics and to what people had to say. Because 90 percent of the time, what people had to say was negative. I just got to the point where I had to believe in myself.”

After exiting the UFC, Johnson went on to score wins over veterans like Mike Kyle, Jake Rosholt and Andrei Arlovski, and pushed his record to 16-4.

Davis, meanwhile, is coming off wins over Wagner Prado, Vinny Magalhaes and Lyoto Machida and is undefeated in four straight bouts.

UFC 172 will be hosted by the Baltimore Arena and will feature light-heavyweight champ Jon Jones taking on Glover Teixeira.