“The Magician” will be staying in the UFC.
Longtime UFC contender and Ultimate Fighter winner John Dodson is going to continue fighting inside the Octagon.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reported on Wednesday that “The Magician” has signed a four-fight deal to remain in the UFC, having fought out his previous contract earlier this year. The 33-year-old has challenged for the flyweight title on two occasions, losing both times to Demetrious Johnson, and has since made the switch back to bantamweight, where he’s currently ranked #7.
Dodson (20-9) is coming off a split decision win over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 222. His two defeats since returning to bantamweight were also split decisions, as Marlon Moraes and John Lineker edged him out on the scorecards. Dodson is known for his knockout power, having stopped current bantamweight cmapion T.J. Dillashaw to win TUF 14, along with (T)KOs of Jussier Formiga and Manny Gamburyan.
His next fight has not been booked, although he wants to return in August, as he aims to make another run a title shot, only this time at a different weight class.