Two more big matchupshave been added to the already-beefy UFC 160 lineup, which is slated for May 25th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In addition to the previously reported Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva heavyweight championship headliner and Junior Dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem, the card will feature…
– Glover Teixeira vs. Ryan Bader (light-heavyweight): Coming off his decision win over Rampage Jackson at UFC on FOX 6 — his third-straight win in the UFC and 18th-straight overall — the much-hyped Teixeira will get another solid test in the form of Ryan Bader, who choked out Vladimir Matyushenko in just 50 seconds at the same event.
We expect Cerrone and Teixeira to be solid favorites in these fights. Anybody predicting an upset?
Two more big matchupshave been added to the already-beefy UFC 160 lineup, which is slated for May 25th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In addition to the previously reported Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva heavyweight championship headliner and Junior Dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem, the card will feature…
– Glover Teixeira vs. Ryan Bader (light-heavyweight): Coming off his decision win over Rampage Jackson at UFC on FOX 6 — his third-straight win in the UFC and 18th-straight overall — the much-hyped Teixeira will get another solid test in the form of Ryan Bader, who choked out Vladimir Matyushenko in just 50 seconds at the same event.
We expect Cerrone and Teixeira to be solid favorites in these fights. Anybody predicting an upset?
It’s safe to say that the UFC’s latest trip to the land of major network television succeeded in exceeding most of our expectations. For starters, the event pulled in much higher viewership numbers than most pundits of the sport (and apparently the UFC’s marketing department) ever believed a card topped off by a flyweight fight could do. The fact that the card delivered exciting finishes and entertaining brawls from top to bottom further cemented our belief that the UFC has truly started to hit their stride with Fox. Not that we ever doubted them, but things were looking hairy for a while there *thinks back to UFC on Fox 2, shudders*.
But today, we must gather up last weekend’s results like a herd of slaughtered bison, take to our (ban)wagons, and forge ahead to the river of subjectivity that is the armchair matchmaker (Oregon Trail metaphors. They’re like, so in right now.). So join us after the jump as we breakdown what is next for some of Saturday’s biggest winners.
Demetrious Johnson: Challenger John Dodson might have brought the pop rocks to his first ever UFC title fight, but Demetrious Johnson surely brought the coke. And by coke, I mean cocaine. Because Johnson fights like he’s on…you know what, forget it. The Tazmanian Devil-esque tornado of takedowns known as “Mighty Mouse” is truly something to behold when he enters the octagon, combining a limitless gas tank with a simple will to survive that is unmatched by 90% of his MMA counterparts, flyweight or otherwise.
It’s safe to say that the UFC’s latest trip to the land of major network television succeeded in exceeding most of our expectations. For starters, the event pulled in much higher viewership numbers than most pundits of the sport (and apparently the UFC’s marketing department) ever believed a card topped off by a flyweight fight could do. The fact that the card delivered exciting finishes and entertaining brawls from top to bottom further cemented our belief that the UFC has truly started to hit their stride with Fox. Not that we ever doubted them, but things were looking hairy for a while there *thinks back to UFC on Fox 2, shudders*.
But today, we must gather up last weekend’s results like a herd of slaughtered bison, take to our (ban)wagons, and forge ahead to the river of subjectivity that is the armchair matchmaker (Oregon Trail metaphors. They’re like, so in right now.). So join us after the jump as we breakdown what is next for some of Saturday’s biggest winners.
Demetrious Johnson: Challenger John Dodson might have brought the pop rocks to his first ever UFC title fight, but Demetrious Johnson surely brought the coke. And by coke, I mean cocaine. Because Johnson fights like he’s on…you know what, forget it. The Tazmanian Devil-esque tornado of takedowns known as “Mighty Mouse” is truly something to behold when he enters the octagon, combining a limitless gas tank with a simple will to survive that is unmatched by 90% of his MMA counterparts, flyweight or otherwise.
Unfortunately, the UFC’s flyweight division is thinner than that of its participants, so Johnson’s options are severely limited. Although Tim Elliot made a statement in his dominant win over Jared Papazian at the TUF 16 Finale, the fact that he dropped a unanimous decision to Dodson prior to that means that he is still a win or two away from a shot. The only logical next step for Johnson would be against the winner of the Joseph Benavidez/Ian McCall fight at UFC 156. Johnson has the advantage of having faced both men before (and McCall twice actually) and it’s slim pickings right now for the champ. Who knows? Maybe he can use that advantage to score his first ever finish inside the UFC. Lord knows the flyweight division could use one every know and again.
Glover Teixeira: In what was easily the biggest fight of his budding career, Teixeira stepped up in a big way and did what no man has ever done before: beat the excuses right out of Rampage Jackson. And while that is an impressive accomplishment in and of itself, we don’t think Teixeira should be fast tracked to a title shot in the near future; that kind of privilege is best left for middleweights coming off a loss. Most websites out there are calling for Teixeira to take on the winner of the Rashad Evans/Lil’ Nog scrap, also scheduled for UFC 156, and it’s hard to disagree with that logic. The light heavyweight division has its fair share of viable contenders right now, with everyone from Alexander Gustafsson to Dan Henderson primed for a title shot with a victory in their next contest, so let’s give Glover a little more time to develop before we start dubbing him the #1 contender.
Anthony Pettis: If KO’ing a hard-nosed badass like Donald Cerrone in the first round didn’t make enough of a statement, doing so with an off-the-cage flying knee, a handspring (?) kick, and a liver kick to finish things off surely did. Give “Showtime” his much deserved title shot so we can see more of these shenanigans:
Also, make sure Stephan Bonnar is on announcing duties when Pettis gets said title shot.
T.J. Grant: With his incredibly impressive knockout win over Matt “Don’t Call Me Handsome Anymore” Wiman last weekend, Grant has suddenly established himself as one of the lightweight division’s hottest prospects. It may have taken him a few years under Zuffa’s embrace to pull off, but Grant now finds himself in the position to call out the Jim Millers of the division. Thankfully for us, Grant did just that. Miller is coming off a late Fight of the Year win over Joe Lauzon at UFC 155, and although Grant isn’t exactly a big name yet, a win for either man would send a resounding message to the rest of the lightweight division.
Clay Guida: On the heels of a split decision victory over Hatsu Hioki punctuated by dizzying head movement and top control, Guida proved that he is pretty much capable of doing the same things at featherweight as he did at lightweight. The perfect matchup for Guida at this point would be Nik Lentz, in our opinion. Currently riding a two fight win streak, Lentz is a similarly strong grappler who could possibly negate some of Guida’s hyper-blanket attack and would be a great litmus test for Guida in his newfound home.
So, Potato Nation, are there any matchups you find more relevant than what we’ve put together? Give us a shout in the comments section.
With how much he’s complained about everything from money, to respect to the way his opponents fight, combined with all the jerky things he’s done in recent years (take. your. pick), it can be difficult to remember that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is an all-time great and future hall of famer. A humble and touching interview that he gave to Fuel TV after losing a decision to Glover Teixeira in Chicago at the UFC on Fox makes it easier to appreciate Quinton as the hard fighting, fan-friendly guy that he has been for so long.
The interview also makes us worry for him a bit. First, the good things.
Jackson gave his opponent credit for beating him without making silly excuses. “Glover was just the better man tonight,” Jackson said.
“Glover did what he had to do. He took it to me standing up and he took me down a few times. He did what he had to do to win…Fighters like Glover is what makes MMA.”
With how much he’s complained about everything from money, to respect to the way his opponents fight, combined with all the jerky things he’s done in recent years (take. your. pick), it can be difficult to remember that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is an all-time great and future hall of famer. A humble and touching interview that he gave to Fuel TV after losing a decision to Glover Teixeira in Chicago at the UFC on Fox makes it easier to appreciate Quinton as the hard fighting, fan-friendly guy that he has been for so long.
The interview also makes us worry for him a bit. First, the good things.
Jackson gave his opponent credit for beating him without making silly excuses. “Glover was just the better man tonight,” Jackson said.
“Glover did what he had to do. He took it to me standing up and he took me down a few times. He did what he had to do to win…Fighters like Glover is what makes MMA.”
Jackson also said that his body felt great during the fight and didn’t blame his coaches for the loss. He was sullen but honest with his audience and himself, it seemed.
“Its hard to swallow when you get your ass kicked but its part of the job,” he said.
And fighting is a job that Jackson says that he still has a desire to hold. “I still want to fight. Its still in my heart,” the former champ said.
The fighter openly expressed doubt as to whether, thirteen years into a legendary career, he could still compete with “the top-level people anymore.” Usually when a competitor realizes this, it is a good time to walk away and retire.
Self-doubt and diminishing returns do not make for safe and graceful career endings. Jackson said that he still wants to fight, but may have to just be rolled out for one-off fights, for entertainment.
“I think I just have to listen to my reality and see,” he said. “I’ve been fighting for thirteen years, the game has changed a lot and maybe I’ll just be one of those fighters that comes and excites the crowd – be like Gary Goodridge, one of those guys that comes and puts on a great show. Gary Goodridge is a great ambassador for our sport.”
Goodridge is a warrior and indeed a fantastic ambassador for MMA and sports in general. He is also a cautionary tale.
Goodridge, still just a young man, is already suffering through the effects of serious brain damage sustained over the course of a fighting career that he extended on for too long. Promoters will always be willing to give cash to exciting, great fighters like Jackson and Goodridge but hopefully “Rampage” doesn’t walk willfully into exploitative situations like he seems content to do.
What do you make of Jackson’s fight Saturday and his interview above, nation?
When the UFC first began its relationship with Fox, the results were mixed. The first show had only a 64 second fight, and the next two shows – while solid – didn’t do so well in the ratings. Even as the cards themselves picked up on UFC on Fox 4 and 5, the production of the show was excessively drawn out and was tedious to watch at times. But UFC on Fox 6 showed just how good these cards can be. Packed with excellent, violent fights, and backed with the full might of the Fox marketing machine, this card was the first that fulfilled the potential of MMA on network television.
But let’s talk fights, shall we? I know the flyweights aren’t nearly as respected as they should be in some parts of the fight community, but if you’re still in those parts after last night’s performance, do us all a favor, stop reading and get the fuck out. Because what you just witnessed was one of the best, if not the best 5-round title fights in the promotion’s history. In an extraordinarily competitive fight, John Dodson took an early lead off the strength of his…well, strength. He landed a number of monster lefts that were able to knock Demetrious Johnson down, and showed how he is arguably the most exciting fighter in the entire division.
But it was for naught, because what Dodson has in excitement, Johnson has in sheer stamina, will and technique. He roared back in the latter rounds, particularly the championship rounds, delivering innumerable knees to the head, body and legs, mixing in takedowns, and consistently pushing forward. Dodson was unable to keep Johnson’s pace, and in the final round, Johnson unleashed vicious flurries as Dodson backed up. Though he never wilted, Dodson was defeated. Demetrious Johnson remained champion, and was able to deliver one of the better post-fight shout outs you’ll hear. While Benson Henderson may believe all things are possible through Christ (excuse me, “through CHRIST!!!”), Johnson appears to have sided with a more contemporary deity – the Xbox 360.
When the UFC first began its relationship with Fox, the results were mixed. The first show had only a 64 second fight, and the next two shows – while solid – didn’t do so well in the ratings. Even as the cards themselves picked up on UFC on Fox 4 and 5, the production of the show was excessively drawn out and was tedious to watch at times. But UFC on Fox 6 showed just how good these cards can be. Packed with excellent, violent fights, and backed with the full might of the Fox marketing machine, this card was the first that fulfilled the potential of MMA on network television.
But let’s talk fights, shall we? I know the flyweights aren’t nearly as respected as they should be in some parts of the fight community, but if you’re still in those parts after last night’s performance, do us all a favor, stop reading and get the fuck out. Because what you just witnessed was one of the best, if not the best 5-round title fights in the promotion’s history.
In an extraordinarily competitive fight, John Dodson took an early lead off the strength of his…well, strength. He landed a number of monster lefts that were able to knock Demetrious Johnson down, and showed how he is arguably the most exciting fighter in the entire division. But it was for naught, because what Dodson has in excitement, Johnson has in sheer stamina, will and technique. He roared back in the latter rounds, particularly the championship rounds, delivering innumerable knees to the head, body and legs, mixing in takedowns, and consistently pushing forward.
Dodson was unable to keep Johnson’s pace, and in the final round, Johnson unleashed vicious flurries as Dodson backed up. Though he never wilted, Dodson was defeated. Demetrious Johnson remained champion, and was able to deliver one of the better post-fight shout outs you’ll hear. While Benson Henderson may believe all things are possible through Christ (excuse me, “through CHRIST!!!”), Johnson appears to have sided with a more contemporary deity – the Xbox 360.
In the co-main event, Glover Teixeira showed why the hype behind him isn’t a joke. “Rampage” Jackson came out motivated, and despite the snark put forth his way of late, he put up a fight. He mixed in hooks, low kicks, jabs, and had excellent head movement and defense throughout. Was he in the best shape of his life, as he claimed? No. But he presented a serious challenge to Teixeira, who throws mostly hooks, which Jackson excels in defending. And through the first few minutes of the first round, you could make the argument Jackson was winning the fight.
Then Glover decided it was time to use some world class grappling. Jackson’s takedown defense isn’t what it was, but then again, the wrestling in MMA isn’t what it was either. Teixeira transitioned beautifully between single legs, double legs and body locks during his takedowns, and that’s how he was able to drag Quentin down. And when he had him down, that’s where “Rampage” was helpless. He was able to return to his feet each time, save the last, but not before suffering ground and pound and fending off submission attempts.
On the feet, the fight remained competitive, though Glover was able to hurt Jackson at least twice. The best moment of the fight came in the second round, where Jackson and Teixeira engaged in a type of call-and-response boxing exchange, each man trading combinations and daring the other to fell him. It was a surreal test of skill and display of braggadocio from both men, and when Teixeira came on top after landing a serious body shot, you knew that the fight was over.
Jackson’s career in the UFC might be done now, but even in defeat he helped build a challenger – who realized he had to develop a jab against a an opponent with excellent boxing defense – in a division that he helped define for the better part of the past decade. Hopefully, he won’t end up as the next Gary Goodridge, but only time will tell.
I have mixed feelings about the bout between Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone. On one hand, I thought this was going to be the most exciting, competitive, back-and-forth fight of the night. (In other words, I thought it was going to be Fight of the Night.) That did not happen. But what did happen… what did happen was Pettis made Cerrone – who possesses arguably the best Muay Thai in the division – look like a nobody. He utterly annihilated him with superior boxing, footwork, a spinning wheel kick (that missed), a knee off the wall and finally a brutal liver kick that probably gave Bas Rutten a spontaneous erection, even if he wasn’t watching the fights. There’s not much to say here – Anthony Pettis deserves, and is getting, the next lightweight title shot after Melendez. He’s also the most exciting striker not named Anderson Silva.
On the first fight of the main card, Ricardo Lamas continued his tear in the featherweight division by brutally dispatching Erik Koch in the second round. After Koch attempted to capitalize on a Lamas slip, only to be taken down, Lamas rained devastation from above, smashing Kock with elbows and punches that opened up a brutal cut, squirting blood of its own accord. Koch, someone who was supposed to challenge Jose Aldo for the featherweight crown, was left with nothing but shattered dreams and blood. Lots and lots of blood. Lamas, on the other hand, might take his place as the next man in line for a shot.
Two notes from the undercard; one, Clay Guida did not deserve to win that fight. Hatsu Hioki, although he was on the bottom for most of the fight, controlled the entire fight with his guard and through submission attempts. He even did more damage than Guida on the feet. Judges continue to overrate takedowns that accomplish little to nothing for the fighter in top position. If it was Minotauro Nogueira on bottom, he’d have won. Because he’s Asian and relatively unknown, he lost. It’s unacceptable. On the bright side, T.J. Grant brought the pain to Matt Wiman. Grant dominated with brilliant Muay Thai before putting Wiman out of his misery with two beautiful standing elbows. Sadly, he didn’t manage to get KO of the Night because of Pettis’ liver kick, but he should get a fight with Jim Miller to find out who truly has the best ginger beard in the division.
Main Card Results
Demetrious Johnson def. John Dodson via UD (48-47 x2, 49-46)
Glover Teixeira def. Quentin “Rampage” Jackson via UD (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Anthony Pettis def. Donald Cerrone via TKO (2:35, Round 1)
Ricardo Lamas def. Erik Koch via TKO (2:32, Round 2)
Preliminary Card Results
T.J. Grant def. Matt Wiman via KO (4:51, Round 1)
Clay Guida def. Hatsu Hioki via SD (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)
Pascal Krauss def. Mike Stumpf via UD (30-27 x3)
Ryan Bader def. Vladimir Matyushenko via SUB (0:50, Round 1)
Shawn Jordan def. Mike Russow via TKO (3:48, Round 2)
Rafael Natal def. Shane Spencer via SUB (2:13, Round 3)
David Mitchell def. Simeon Thoreson via UD (30-27 x3)
(Now there’s two guys you definitely wouldn’t want to trip over in a dark alley. / Photo via CombatLifestyle. For more photos from this set, click here.)
The UFC returns to FOX tonight, and the stakes are high: Can John Dodson become the fourth Ultimate Fighter winner to win a UFC championship? Will Rampage Jackson‘s final appearance in the UFC end in triumph or humiliation? Can Erik Koch regain his place as the #1 featherweight contender with a win over Ricardo Lamas, and will Anthony Pettis secure his own spot atop the lightweight contender ladder with a victory against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone?
But hey, enough damn questions — it’s time for some answers. CagePotato liveblogger Aaron Mandel will be providing round-by-round results from the UFC on FOX 6: Johnson vs. Dodson main card after the jump, beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and share your own feelings in the comments section.
(Now there’s two guys you definitely wouldn’t want to trip over in a dark alley. / Photo via CombatLifestyle. For more photos from this set, click here.)
The UFC returns to FOX tonight, and the stakes are high: Can John Dodson become the fourth Ultimate Fighter winner to win a UFC championship? Will Rampage Jackson‘s final appearance in the UFC end in triumph or humiliation? Can Erik Koch regain his place as the #1 featherweight contender with a win over Ricardo Lamas, and will Anthony Pettis secure his own spot atop the lightweight contender ladder with a victory against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone?
But hey, enough damn questions — it’s time for some answers. CagePotato liveblogger Aaron Mandel will be providing round-by-round results from the UFC on FOX 6: Johnson vs. Dodson main card after the jump, beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and share your own feelings in the comments section.
Good evening PotatoHeads, we’re a few minutes away from grappling robots which will signal the start of main card action on FOX. Congrats to Alex for his marathon, six fight live blog cherry popping with the prelims. We’ve got some great free fights tonight include a championship bout, a possible number one contender fight and some crowd pleasers. Stay tuned!
And the broadcast is off to a weird start with lots of technical difficulties and sound mishaps, fortunately there is a Bud Light commercial to cut to, this is the best sport on earth, people! Goldberg back to save us with functioning microphones and his best friend ever, Joe Rogan and the broadcast intro has begun.
Koch has a pretty intense fake tan that apparently he was sponsored to get, Lamas is the hometown fighter. Big John in charge of this one.
Erik Koch vs. Ricardo Lamas
Round 1- Fighters feelings each other out at the start in the center of the cage. Lamas tries a huge windmill kick that misses. Koch with a head kick of his own that is blocked. Punches and kicks from Koch are dodged and blocked by Lamas as they continue to feel each other out. Lamas shoots for a takedown and pins Koch to the cage. Koch sprawling and defending the takedown well. Lamas drags him down for a split second but Koch pops up and sprawls with his back against the cage again. Lamas continuing to hold Koch against the cage, jockeying for position. Koch continuing to defend in the clinch against the cage. They separate and return to striking distance. Lamas looking crafty with his kicks but they aren’t landing. Lamas lands a combo and clinches Koch against the cage again. Lamas gets a takedown but it doesn’t last more than five seconds, Koch is up and the round is over. I’d give it to Lamas on octagon control, not a lot of damage either way so far.
Round 2- Koch opens with a left. A few legs kicks from Lamas and now Koch puts Lamas against the cage. Lamas slips on a leg kick, Koch pounces but Lamas scrambles and ends up on top in guard. Lamas posturing and throwing down strikes. Lamas stacking Koch and dropping bombs, Koch bleeding badly as Lamas keeps pounding and Big John calls the fight.
Ricardo Lamas defeats Erik Koch via TKO, Round 2
Koch was cut terribly from only a few elbows and Lamas makes a case for himself at the top of the featherweight division. He thanks the hometown crowd and dedicates the win to his late grandparents.
Dana White gets on the mic with Rogan to hype Aldo vs. Edgar on PPV next week. A lightweight barn burner looms as Cowboy Cerrone and Showtime Pettis get ready to meet in the cage.
Donald Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis
Round 1- Pettis lands first with a big right. They exchange in a flurry and Cerrone gets him back. Cerrone lands with a knee as Pettis tries a cartwheel kick. Pettis in with a right and out quickly and opening up with strikes, seeming a bit more comfortable striking early. Pettis with some body kicks and a “Showtime knee” that seem to hurt Cerrone. Pettis crushes Cerrone with a left kick to the body, Cerrone drops and it is over, brutal liver kick finish, somewhere Bas Rutten is smiling.
Anthony Pettis defeats Donald Cerrone via TKO (body kick), Round 1
Pettis gets the Milwaukee fans in attendance pumped and makes it clear he’s not afraid to fight anyone. It turns out it’s his birthday and he asks for a title shot and a KOTN bonus from Uncle Dana as a present.
Next up we’ve got the potential UFC swan song of former light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson who is taking on rising contender Glover Teixeira. Can Rampage rediscover his old knockout power and slam-based grappling or is the hungrier Teixeira going to be too much for him? Will Rampage get his wish for a stand-up battle? We’ll have answers to these burning questions of our time in a few minutes.
Quinton Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira
Round 1- Damn, I’m pumped for this, don’t know why but I am! Teixeira misses with an uppercut. Rampage slugs back but it’s blocked. Rampage moving his head well. Glover shoots in and takes him down and has Rampage’s back with hooks in, yikes. Glover is going for the arm triangle and switches back to the back mount. Rampage is up and firing away! Rampage ducks a strike and answers with a left hook, a glancing blow though. Head kick from Glover doesn’t land flush. Rampage with a combo of power strikes that Glover blocks. Huge strikes from both fighters that just miss. Rampage moving his head well and swaying out of the way. Glover lands a hook and Rampage answers back, he is throwing the left hook. Glover lands another hook and Rampage runs across the cage, maybe hurt a little. Glover wobbles Rampage and stalks him toward the cage. Rampage gets dropped as Glover pounces but can’t finish. Rampage back up but on wobbly legs as the round ends. 10-9 for Teixeira.
Round 2- Rampage seems to have cleared the cobwebs as Glover shoots and takes Rampage down to start the round. Glover in half guard as Rampage tries to hit a switch and fails. Glover passes to side control and drops some big elbows. Rampage back to his feet. Rampage throws a few big uppercuts as Glover answers back with a hook. The fighters briefly clinch and then back to striking distance. Glover is having success with the left hook. Body shot from Rampage. Uppercuts from Glover as Rampage defends with head movement. Rampage seems to be tiring. Rampage shoots for a takedown (ha!) that fails. Glover working some kicks. Fighters exchange some taunts and swing at each other. Big body shots from Glover as he keeps clubbing Rampage. Another 10-9 round for Glover.
Round 3- Touch of the gloves to start the final round. Glover lands another left hook and Rampage back with a stiff jab. Rampage putting together some combos. Teixeira shoots for a takedown and has it, pushing Rampage against the cage and working to mount from half guard. Teixeira dropping elbows and searching for an arm triangle. Rampage uses the cage to get up and they exchange again. Rampage swinging wildly and falls into a clinch. Glover with another left hook that finds its mark. Two minutes to go and Glover seems fresher. Teixeira gets a takedown with ease but Rampage pops back up. Rampage looks gassed as he absorbs some body shots. Rampage has his mouth wide open gasping for air as he throws wild strikes. Another takedown for Teixeira as he mounts and rains down strikes as time expires. Teixeira should take this one easily.
Glover Teixeira defeats Quinton Jackson via unanimous decision
Interesting, no interview for Glover or Rampage, maybe the UFC was worried about what Rampage would say.
And now it’s time for some gravity defying things done by 125 pound men. Dodson’s walk in proves that he absolutely won’t be testing positive for ADD meds. Johnson is an athletic little guy too, it’s hard to say who will have the advantage here, I can’t imagine either one gassing or slowing down, even if it goes the full 25 minutes. Here we go!
Champ Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson
Round 1- Let’s see if my touch typing skills can keep up with all of this action. John McCarthy looks like he could eat either of these guys, he is the ref, by the way. Dodson with a body kick to start and a left straight. Johnson with a leg kick. Overhand right from Johnson. Kick from Johnson but Dodson meets him with a left and briefly drops Johnson. Head kick from Johnson is caught and Dodson slams him down. Johnson pops up and they return to striking. Johnson is missing with a lot of strikes, Dodson is damn fast. Body kick from Dodson and a big left to follow as Johnson rushed in. Johnson looks for a takedown and slams Dodson down to the mat. Dodson works back to the feet and they clinch on the cage with Dodson in control now. Fighters separate and re-clinch as the round ends. I have no idea who won that round, Johnson got a takedown but Dodson made him miss on the feet and briefly dropped Johnson. This is why I’m a liveblogger and not a judge.
Round 2- Dodson with some strikes to open the round. Johnson shoots for a takedown and they clinch on the cage. Johnson get Dodson down against the cage but Dodson works back up and they separate. Leg kick from Johnson and he’s controlling the center of the cage. Good jab from Johnson but Dodson comes back with a left that drops Johnson again, he pops right back up. Another left from Dodson floors Johnson but he gets up again, Johnson is hurt and shoots in but Dodson defends. Dodson’s power advantage is evident at this point but can he keep it up? Another shot knocks Johnson down but it may have been more of a slip. Dodson is winning the striking exchanges and Johnson seems a bit fuzzed still. Dodson catches a kick and cracks Johnson in the face. Johnson seems to be recovering as the round ends, 10-9 Dodson in this one.
Round 3- Jumping karate kick from Dodson looks cool but doesn’t land. Leg kicks from Johnson. Dodson catches Johnson with a left and Johnson keeps kicking away at his legs. Johnson shoots for a takedown and eats a knee as Dodson defends the takedown well. Dodson takes a big knee to the groin and Rogan gleefully asks to see a replay. Dodson is ready to go and they restart as Rogan rants about mother nature’s designing of the male body. Flying knee by Dodson goes OVER Johnson’s head. Straight left catches Johnson but he seems to be taking it well, obviously in excellent shape. Leg kicks from both fighters as haymakers from Dodson miss. Body kick from Dodson hurts Johnson. Johnson eats a punch but gets a takedown. Dodson with a loose butterfly guard and scoots to the wall to walk back to his feet. Johnson keeps his down and throws him back to the center of the cage. Johnson working some ground and pound to try to slow Dodson. They are back to the feet with Johnson throwing knees and punches and putting Dodson against the cage again. 10-9 Johnson in this round. It’s time for the championship rounds and Johnson seems the tiniest bit more fresh, we’ll see how the next rounds play out.
Round 4- Leg kicks from Dodson. Johnson has not slowed at all while Dodson is looking to hit a home run. Takedown by Johnson, but Dodson pops right back up. Johnson knees Dodson while he is down and Big John stops the fight, checks out Dodson and asks him to look at him with his bad eye that got kneed. ”Am I ugly?” McCarthy asks Dodson! No point deduction and they restart. Dodson is fired up and throwing with bad intentions but Johnson is relentless, shooting in again for a takedown and pushing the pace. They are against the cage with Johnson working for a takedown. Back to the center and Johnson pushes for another takedown. Dodson is playing cat and mouse with his hand up and down as Johnson chooses to knee the body instead. Johnson is like a robot kneeing Dodson over and over to the body and head from the clinch. Dodson is cut and Johnson is taking over. Big elbow from Johnson as they separate and Dodson seems to be wilting, Johnson is as fresh as he was at the start. 10-9 Johnson here but it might be two rounds each going into the fifth.
Round 5- This round could be the decider and they hug in the center of the cage to start. Johnson gets a clinch again and takes Dodson down this time. Johnson striking as Dodson works back to the feet. Johnson has his back against the cage and climbs up on Dodson to rain strikes down! Dodson initiates a clinch again as Rogan notes how incompetent the judges might be as he prepares for a controversial decision. Dodson now working for a takedown but Johnson is defending well. Dodson does get the takedown but Johnson is like a whack-a-mole and pops up yet again. Johnson keeping up a furious pace on Dodson and he has Dodson hurt against the cage. Johnson trying to unload but Dodson ties him up. Thai plum for Johnson and he knees the face. Dodson breaks away and smiles, honestly. More knees from Johnson and Dodson is bleeding from the nose. The fight ends with Johnson kneeing Dodson in the face and I think Johnson will take this on the judges scorecards due to his unbreakable cardio and strong performance in the later rounds.
Demetrious Johnson defeats John Dodson via unanimous decision
Mighty Mouse remains the only UFC Flyweight champ so far. I predict that these guys will meet again, maybe many more times. Johnson will win most of the time but I can see Dodson getting a (T)KO at some point down the road. Great night of fights, two finishes, two exciting decisions. Thanks for hanging out.
All 22 fighters scheduled to compete on tomorrow night’s UFC on FOX: Johnson vs. Dodson card will be hitting the scales live from the Chicago Theatre in, you guessed it, Chicago starting at 5 p.m. EST. Luckily for you, we will be hosting a video of the weigh-ins RIGHT HERE. I know, right? The things we do to ensure that you guys are happy.
Anyway, the weigh-ins kick off in just a few minutes, so get in here for all the action!
All 22 fighters scheduled to compete on tomorrow night’s UFC on FOX: Johnson vs. Dodson card will be hitting the scales live from the Chicago Theatre in, you guessed it, Chicago starting at 5 p.m. EST. Luckily for you, we will be hosting a video of the weigh-ins RIGHT HERE. I know, right? The things we do to ensure that you guys are happy.
Anyway, the weigh-ins kick off in just a few minutes, so get in here for all the action!
Main Card:
Demetrious Johnson (125) vs. John Dodson (124)
Quinton Jackson (204) vs. Glover Teixeira (206)
Donald Cerrone (155) vs. Anthony Pettis (155)
Erik Koch (145) vs. Ricardo Lamas (145)
Preliminary Card:
T.J. Grant (155) vs. Matt Wiman (156)
Clay Guida (146) vs. Hatsu Hioki (146)
Ryan Bader (205) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (205)
Shawn Jordan (251) vs. Mike Russow (256)
Pascal Krauss (171) vs. Mike Stumpf (170)
Rafael Natal (185) vs. Sean Spencer (186)
David Mitchell (171) vs. Simeon Thoresen (171)
