Anthony Johnson made a statement Saturday night in San Jose at UFC on FOX 12.

By finishing Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in just 44 seconds, “Rumble” made sure to let the light heavyweight division know his win over Phil Davis earlier this year was no fluke.

Johnson (18-4) picked up his eighth straight win since a 2012 loss to Vitor Belfort that left him outside the UFC after missing weight. That was a middleweight bout, and Johnson found his way on the regional scene.

“This is a blessing,” he said. “If not for Dana White and the Fertitta (brothers) cutting me when they cut me, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

Now, years removed from his issues with cutting weight, Johnson was able to laugh at it, saying, “don’t cut so much weight everybody.”

Nogueira didn’t stand a chance against the 30-year-old fighting out of the Blackzilians camp, as Johnson stunned him with a shot against the fence. A huge right hand later and the Brazilian was out on the canvas.

“Hopefully I can keep putting fear in everybody,” Johnson said. “The whole time I was training I knew I had to put him away early because he is a Nogueira and he doesn’t quit. I wanted to destroy him.”

For Nogueira, the loss was his first since 2011. He had defeated Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz in 2013 and ’11, but is now 21-6 in his career.