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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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Matt Erickson and Ken Hathaway

Jose Johnson wanted to hurt Chad Anheliger for ‘talking a lot of sh*t on Instagram’ before UFC Fight Night 232 ​ 

LAS VEGAS – Jose Johnson beat Chad Anheliger with a third-round submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 232 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Johnson, who got his first UFC win after a twister submission loss in his debut in August.

Chad Anheliger vs. Jose Johnson

Result: Jose Johnson def. Chad Anheliger via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:49
Updated records: Johnson (16-8 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Anheliger (12-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Key stats: All six of Anheliger’s stoppage losses have been by submission.

Johnson on the fight's key moment

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Chad Anheliger of Canada punches Jose Johnson in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“Oh, sh*t, that motherf*cker was tough. He was a tough-ass dude. I wasn’t expecting that out of him. I know he is a smaller guy – definitely wasn’t as strong as a lot of the people that I’ve fought in my life. I was expecting that his jiu-jitsu was going to be a lot better than it was considering that he just got his black belt a couple weeks ago.

“We did not plan for no damn submission at all. That was the furthest thing from my mind. My jiu-jitsu coach is always thinking, ‘Strangle somebody, break a bone’ – we’re always thinking that. But I was definitely just wanting to hurt him. He was talking a lot of sh*t on Instagram, so I was just like, ‘Yeah, all right, you think you’re a dog? Show me that dog.’ And that’s where my pride came in to play a little bit and I had to show him I was a dog and sh*t.”

Johnson on his performance

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 18: (R-L) Jose Johnson kicks Chad Anheliger of Canada in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“I can do so much better. Sorry. I’m so much more technical than that. I just like to fight. My coaches were screaming at me and they were trying to tell me don’t brawl with this dude. I loved it. I think I should just stick to the game plan that we choose next time. I could have gotten that finish a long time ago. I just enjoyed getting hit and hitting somebody. It’s been a while.”

Johnson on what he wants next

Jose Johnson

“What are your plans for the next one? Do you have an opponent in mind or a time you’d like to return or anything like that? I think it’s a little too soon for callouts. No callouts needed. When they want me, I’m here – send me the contract and what’s up.”

To hear more from Johnson, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 232.

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