With the UFC headed to Albuquerque in June, it would stand to reason that some of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn’s local fighters would end up on the card. And on Wednesday, the Albuquerque Journal reported that flyweight John Dodson — the Jackson standout that made a name for himself by winning The Ultimate Fighter 14 as a bantamweight — will be fighting former No. 1 contender John Moraga in New Mexico.
The 5-foot-3 Dodson (15-6), who fought for the UFC’s flyweight belt against Demetrious Johnson in January 2013, lives and trains in Albuquerque. After knocking out Darrell Montague at UFC 166 in October, it was thought that he would get a fight next that might catapult him back into contention.
And Moraga (13-2) is that guy. The 30-year Arizonan also fought “Mighty Mouse” Johnson for the 125-pound belt back in July, losing via submission (armbar). He is coming off a narrow split-decision victory over Roufusport’s Dustin Ortiz in January. Moraga’s only other career loss came against none other than Dodson on a Nemesis Fighting card back in 2010. Dodson won the fight via unanimous decision.
UFC Fight Night Albuquerque will be at the Tingley Coliseum on June 7, and will be headlined by the UFC’s former lightweight champion Benson Henderson (20-3), who’ll take on Jackson-Winkeljohn upstart Rustam Khabilov (17-1). Also appearing on the card will be welterweight Lance Benoist against Bobby Voelker, both of whom are trying to snap losing streaks.