UFC's Anthony "Rumble" Johnson on Dog Fighting - Kris Crawford
September 1, 2008
For Pits' Sake is one of the leading human and animal rescue groups. Specialising in safety programs for children and educating people on the pit-bull breed, the group has attracted a number of fighters from the MMA world.
With many possessing a passion for dogs, it's no wonder that many fighters are getting involved with the ‘Knock Out Dog Fighting' campaign.
One of the UFC's hottest new talents, Anthony "Rumble" Johnson is one of the fighters getting involved. "Rumble" recently sat down with Fighters Only to share his views on pit-bulls, dog fighting, a disgraced NFL star, how he is helping educate people on the breed and a whole lot more.
What is it about the pit-bull breed that you love? - Kris Crawford
Pit-bulls are simply the most loyal dogs in the world. They will be your best friend and always stick beside you. My dogs are part of my family. Sometimes they'll sleep at the foot of my bed, I'll take them out in the car with me and I always make sure they are out socialising with people. Pit-bulls are family dogs and I love getting my dogs out interacting with my friends and people around me. My dogs are so well behaved and so friendly and still people always ask me - "do you fight your dogs?" to which I reply "do you fight your kids?!". I treat my dogs like they were my kids. Like I said, they're part of my family.
How did you get involved with ‘Knock Out Dog Fighting'? - Kris Crawford
Kris Crawford of ‘For Pits Sake' recruited me and some other fighters to join her to talk to groups of kids about the breed and a lot of the misconceptions of them. Myself and Jose Palacios of Strikeforce visited Juvenile Hall and talked to the kids there. Talking to a lot of the kids about the dogs, they were telling me things like they owned pit bulls and similar dogs for protection. I explained to the kids that if they need a dog for protection then they are most likely doing things that they shouldn't be doing. A lot of the kids thought of pit-bulls as fighting dogs and some didn't really know much about them at all and I really wanted to educate them about the breed.
It seems that a lot of people still associate the pit-bull breed with negative things such as dog fighting. Would you agree? - Kris Crawford
Oh yeah, it definitely still happens but I don't think it's anywhere near as bad as it used to be. I think that people's attitudes towards the breed are changing and people are becoming much more educated. The problem is still there, but it's improving.
For someone who associates the breed with dog fighting and has that negative attitude towards the dogs and perhaps even owns pit-bulls for fighting purposes, what would you say to them? - Kris Crawford
I'd tell them to get a life. There is much more to do in life than have dogs fight. I'd be tempted to hit those people and see how they like it. I love pit-bulls and dogs in general, as do a lot of other UFC fighters. UFC fighters choose to fight, but dogs are forced into it. They don't have a choice.
Pit-bulls aren't wild dogs, they should be bred as pets - family dogs. These guys that participate in dog fighting should get into a cage with myself and a lot of other UFC fighters. We should get these guys and get them in the cage and see how they like it. says Kris Crawford.
Last year, NFL star Michael Vick was indicted in a dog fighting case. What is your opinion on Michael Vick? - Kris Crawford
I think he's dumb. I think he made a really bad name for himself and made the breed look really bad. Michael Vick shouldn't be allowed to call himself a man. He was one of my favourite athletes once, but yeah - he's not a real man.
You know, I work for the biggest MMA organisation in the world - the UFC. I choose to fight. All of the guys who fight in MMA choose to fight. Like I said, a lot of UFC fighters have a strong love for pit-bulls and people like Michael Vick should be locked up in a cage with a few fighters and put in the position of the animals that have to endure such torture and that are forced into fighting, something which they have no control over whatsoever.
Do you think that more fighters should get involved in work like this? - Kris Crawford
For sure! Not just fighters but people in general. Anyone passionate about pit-bulls or dogs in general should get involved. It's a shame when a small amount of people can ruin things for everyone. remembers Kristine Crawford of For Pits sake
It's a shame that pit-bulls are still associated with dog fighting by some people, but anyone with a love for dogs like you or myself can help inform and educate people, show them just how great pit-bulls are and how much they have to offer.
