UFC 104: Machida vs Shogun is just three days away and with an already stacked card on the horizon, it's easy to overlook a potentially explosive welterweight tilt between Anthony Johnson and Yoshiyuki Yoshida. Both are coming off wins inside the Octagon.

Anthony Johnson: "It's an interesting fight. He's a Judo guy and I'm a... whatever you want to call me guy. I think this is going to be a great fight for both of us. I don't think he's fought anybody with my kind of style and I've never fought anybody with his style. Every aspect of this fight is important to me. It's just not keeping my distance but the ground, the wrestling, watching for his throws, moving my hips right - everything. I just got to do what I got to do. If I'm working with my coach and he's having a hard time throwing me, then I know this guy [Yoshida] will have problems. I'm going to beat Yoshida no matter what. I don't care what splash I make to anybody anywhere. They can label me whatever they want to label me. As far as the up-and-comer, the new guy or top-contender, I don't care as long as I go out there and fight."

Johnson is primarily a stand-up fighter with a penchant for finishing opponents. Five of his seven wins have come by KO or TKO with the other two going the distance. The 25-year-old is most remembered by many for being on the receiving end of an illegal eye-poke delivered by Kevin Burns at UFC: Ultimate Fight Night 14.

Many had Johnson winning the contest until the accidental poke, which occurred late in the third round, forced Johnson to take a loss. He later appealed the controversial decision, but was denied due to "lack of remedy". He underwent eye surgery immediately after the fight and defeated Burns in his next outing via third-round knockout at The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 Finale.

On a side note, Johnson was rumored to be having trouble cutting weight for his upcoming fight. At 6'2" the highly athletic knockout artist was walking around at upwards of 220 pounds just a couple of weeks ago. In order to make the 170 pound welterweight limit he will have had to lose an incredible 50 pounds before fighting Yoshida at the contracted weight.

"Weight cutting is crazy, but it's coming along," Johnson wrote recently on his BSN blog. "I'll make weight I promise don't trip lol."

One has to wonder if Johnson's strength and stamina will be affected by such a drastic weight-cut - especially if the contest were to go into the later rounds. Despite speculation, the Denver native insists he will be ready for Yoshida this Saturday at UFC 104: Machida vs Shogun.

Source: www.fiveknuckles.com