John Dodson News

Cole Shelton - February 15, 2023

John Dodson was excited when he got the call to be on KnuckleMania 3. Dodson returned to MMA on New Year’s Eve and scored a first-round TKO at RIZIN 40 as the former UFC title challenger inked a multi-fight deal with the promotion. Although he is signed with RIZIN, Dodson remains on the BKFC roster and wanted to be part of KnuckleMania 3, and he got his wish.

Cole Shelton - February 14, 2023

The 110th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of KnuckleMania 3 and UFC Vegas 69 this weekend. We’re first joined by former UFC fighter and current BKFC fighter Diego Sanchez (2:43). Next, former WBA light middleweight champion and current BKFC fighter Austin Trout (29:54) comes on. John Dodson (42:01) returns to the program. Then, UFC light heavyweight Zac Pauga (55:04) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC lightweight Evan Elder (1:04:53).

Andrew Whitelaw - December 28, 2022

John Dodson is on a mission to prove he’s still one of the best in the world in his weight class. The TUF 14 winner will return to action at Rizin 40 to help launch the promotion’s flyweight division when he takes on Hideo Tokoro. The New Year’s Eve bout will be a homecoming of sorts for ‘Magic,’ who first fought in Japan back in 2004.

Cole Shelton - September 17, 2022

John Dodson made his Bare Knuckle boxing debut at BKFC 28 and led the way in disclosed salaries. Dodson was in the co-main event against Ryan Benoit and made quick work scoring a 40-second KO. However, it was a surprise Dodson even went to BKFC as after his UFC departure he was fighting in MMA and expected to continue to do that until BKFC gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022

The 92nd episode of Just Scrap Radio is here ahead of UFC Paris and recapping BKFC 28 on Saturday. We’re first joined by the number one ranked heavyweight and former interim champ Ciryl Gane (1:39). Next, Fortis MMA head coach Sayif Saud (13:44) comes on. Closing out the program is former UFC title challenger and current BKFC fighter John Dodson (41:19).

Fernando Quiles - August 28, 2022

John Dodson had a bare-knuckle boxing debut to remember. Dodson, a former two-time UFC title challenger, went one-on-one with Ryan Benoit at BKFC 28. The action was held inside the Rio Rancho Events Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 27, 2022.

Cole Shelton - August 24, 2022

John Dodson has accomplished a lot in his career but there are some things that stick out to him more than others. Dodson won TUF 14 as he knocked out TJ Dillashaw and went on to start out his UFC career 3-0 which led to a flyweight title fight against Demetrious Johnson. Although he never touched UFC gold, Dodson fought so many future champions which he says is a career highlight that he always fought the best of the best.

Cole Shelton - August 23, 2022

John Dodson, who fought and beat TJ Dillashaw, believes the former bantamweight champ is going to reclaim his belt at UFC 280. Dillashaw is set to face Aljamain Sterling in the co-main event of UFC 280 in a very intriguing matchup. Dillashaw returned to the win column last time out as he beat Cory Sandhagen by split decision in his return from USADA suspension to earn the title shot.

Cole Shelton - August 16, 2022

The 91st episode of Just Scrap Radio is here ahead of UFC 278, BKFC 28, and recapping UFC Vegas 59 from two weeks ago. We’re first joined by eighth-ranked welterweight Geoff Neal (1:33). Next, former UFC flyweight and now BKFC fighter John Dodson (11:42). UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney (26:03) then comes on. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Jay Perrin (34:59).

Harry Kettle - July 14, 2022

John Dodson has opened up on how surprised he felt upon being released by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. From the moment he knocked out TJ Dillashaw to win The Ultimate Fighter 14, it was clear to see that John Dodson had some real potential. Then, immediately after conquering the bantamweight tournament, he swiftly moved down to flyweight in search of gold.

Cole Shelton - June 3, 2022

John Dodson is the latest ex-UFC fighter to join Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. On Friday, BKFC took to social media to announce they have signed Dodson to a multi-fight deal. The date and who he will fight in his debut is uncertain but he will likely compete in the bantamweight division which is 135lbs, the champion of that weight class is Johnny Bedford.

Harry Kettle - March 11, 2022

At XMMA 4 next month, 14 former UFC fighters are set to compete on the card – including former title challenger John Dodson. After debuting in January 2021 with James Vick in the main event, XMMA has slowly but surely been building for the future. Whether it be future talent or stars from years gone by in UFC and Bellator, they’re aiming to be in the mix alongside a string of other promotions currently thriving across North America and beyond.

Chris Taylor - July 3, 2021

Former two-time UFC flyweight title challenger John Dodson has been forced out of his comeback fight following a “near-death” accident involving his family. Dodson (21-12 MMA), who was let go by the UFC shortly following his unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili in August of 2020, was set to make his return to the cage on July 30 at an XMMA event in Greenville, South Carolina.

Adam Martin - September 18, 2020

Long-time UFC flyweight and bantamweight contender John Dodson has been officially released by the world’s leading MMA promotion. MMAFighting.com’s Damon Martin was the first to break the news that Dodson has been released by the UFC. Dodson’s manager Ricky Kottenstette provided a comment.

Cole Shelton - September 8, 2020

John Dodson is looking to make one more run at a UFC title. Dodson fought for the flyweight title twice in 2013 and 2015 but lost by decision to Demetrious Johnson both times. Following the second loss to Johnson, Dodson moved up to bantamweight and has been there ever since.

Harry Kettle - December 20, 2019

The UFC has announced multiple fights that will be taking place in the first few months of 2020. Next year is set to be a big one for the promotion and with 2019 coming to an end, it really does seem like this could be one of those years that will be up there with 2016 in terms of success. Nobody can know that for sure, of course, but the UFC does appear to be building some momentum across many of their top divisions – both men’s and women’s.

Drake Riggs - February 23, 2019

A great question for any MMA trivia quiz would be; ‘Who handed TJ Dillashaw his first career defeat?’ If you answered with John Dodson, that would be correct. Cast members on season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2011, Dodson represented Team Mayhem while Dillashaw was on Team Bisping.

Cole Shelton - September 29, 2018

Jimmie Rivera suffered a devastating 33-second knockout loss to Marlon Moraes at June’s UFC Fight Night event in Utica. The loss snapped a twenty-fight win streak for “El Terror” and came at a great cost. Had he defeated Moraes, Rivera most likely would have been granted the next title shot at T.J. Dillashaw, but after the loss, it was back to the drawing board for the New Jersey native. Rivera decided it was time to return to the octagon just three months after the loss. Jimmie took on fan favourite John Dodson at September’s UFC 228 in Dallas. The quick turnaround had many fans and analysts feeling that Rivera was coming back too soon, especially given the way he lost to Moraes.