John 'Doomsday' Howard aims to show UFC that release was mistake

BOSTON – As a kid growing up in Boston, John Howard watched the Celtics and Bruins at The Garden and noted that very few of their athletes were from his home town.

More than a decade later, the name on the building has changed, and he’s been given the chance to fulfill a dream by competing in the storied venue as a Boston native.

Howard campaigned to the UFC to take him back following his release from the promotion in 2010 on a three-fight skid. But to get his wish in his hometown, he said, is the most special experience of his nine-year career.

“I’ve been in the UFC before, but to be in the UFC in your hometown, and in your home place, it’s the best feeling in the world,” said Howard, who returns to the UFC after a two-year absence to fight “The Ultimate Fighter 17? finalist Urijah Hall (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) on the FOX Sports 1-televised main card of UFC Fight Night 26.

When he got the call to replace the injured “TUF 17? vet Josh Samman, Howard (20-8 MMA, 4-3 UFC) was teaching a class. He ran up and down the street, yelling for joy, and then celebrated his fortune with students by giving them a tougher workout.

“They loved it,” he said.

Howard, who won four out of four in his first UFC appearances, now plans to show the promotion it made a mistake when it cut him loose in 2010. The way to do that, of course, is to deliver a decisive victory. In a way, though, he feels he’s already won before he’s stepped in the cage.

“Even if I lose, my dream came true,” he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “That’s why I feel no pressure, because I’m excited.”

Perhaps it’s even more meaningful given the events that came before it. April’s Boston Marathon bombings were a shock to the system for Howard, who once trained with deceased bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev and broke his nose during an intense sparring session.

“It was a tragedy, because it was close to home, and I couldn’t believe something like that could happen, and know someone like that,” he said. “But I am proud to say that I’m the guy, to all my Boston people, that he got a little Boston love.”

Howard bears no serious animosity toward Hall, but does believe the finalist on “TUF 17? might be a little bit overhyped. He’s not impressed by the highlight-reel knockout that won Hall instant recognition on the reality show.

“That spinning kick was impressive, but he did it to a kid who had no background in striking,” Howard said. “I have a trained eye; I’ve been striking for over 10 years, with some of the best strikers in the world.

“I have the eye to see that. I’m not saying it can’t land it, just more likely that he’s not. If he throws it, it’s going to expose him to my power. I’m a Thai fighter; he’s an American karate kickboxer; I’m straight may Thai.

“It’s his flash against my power. I think if he goes flashy with it, he’s going to get a rude awakening.”

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