Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson -- Jon Jones Will Return ... And I'll Beat His Ass When He Does!!

UFC stud Anthony "Rumble" Johnson says he was "disappointed" when Jon Jones got himself axed from their scheduled fight ... but says he wants the first crack at JJ when he's finally reinstated.

Of course, Jones was yanked from UFC 187 and suspended indefinitely in the wake of his felony hit and run arrest in New Mexico. Rumble will fight Daniel Cormier in his place on May 23rd.

So, how does Rumble feel about the situation? "I'm excited ... I still get to fight somebody and I'm still getting paid."

As for Jones, Rumble says he fully expects Jones to return to the UFC -- and wants to be his FIRST OPPONENT when Dana White gives JJ the green light to get back into the octagon.

Johnson says he expects Jones to be bigger, faster, stronger and better than ever when he comes back -- "He'll definitely be motivated to come back and try and destroy everybody."