UFC 166: What We Learned from John Dodson vs. Darrell Montague

The UFC 166 pay-per-view kicked off and saw Greg Jackson-disciple John Dodson take on UFC debutant Darrell Montague in the flyweight division. Many thought the bout had the potential to claim the Fight of the Night bonus check.

This fight did not have to leave the first round to name a definitive winner. Dodson threw heavy leather, caught Montague's chin and put him away via knockout.

Here is what we learned from this flyweight bout.

What We'll Remember About This Fight

John Dodson's power. For a little 125er, he throws power punches like a welterweight. Every punch he threw had bad intentions, and it showed from the multiple times he hurt Montague.

It was an impressive performance. 

What We Learned About Dodson

He is ready for another title shot. He beat a Top 10 flyweight convincingly in the first round.

His striking is as good as it gets at flyweight, and his takedown defense is top notch. He could be a top-three flyweight in the world. 

What We Learned About Montague

To be honest, we didn't learn a whole lot other than he is tough as nails. He didn't get a chance to show off any offense, but he showed a tremendous jaw.

He can take a punch as well as anyone. Hopefully he'll get a good rebound fight, because Montague is a legit 125er. He just didn't get to show it on Saturday night.

What's Next for Dodson

He should face the winner of Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez for the title. If that is not an option, a showdown with the winner of Ian McCall vs. Scott Jorgensen is equally fine.

What's Next for Montague

He needs time to rebuild in the UFC, so he has some options. I think a bout with the loser of John Lineker vs. Phil Harris would be a good rebound fight. 

The co-main event of UFC Fight Night 27 saw American DonaldCerrone take on Brazilian Rafael dosAnjos in the lightweight division. It was a bout that many thought had the potential to take the Fight of the Night bonus check.

The first round saw dos Anjos hurtCerrone on the feet before riding him out from top position at the end of the stanza. The second saw both men spend time on their backs. The final round Cerrone began to come alive, making the scorecards close.

When it was all said and done, dos Anjos took a unanimous decision. Here is what we learned from the fight.

 

What We'll Remember About This Fight

The fight in general. The fight had back-and-forth action and was quite entertaining. 

I think the most memorable thing, though, was that Cerrone did not look like he had a sense of urgency. In a lot of his fights, he looks like a man possessed, but this fight was not one of those times. Ultimately, I think he had lackluster body language that led to a below-par performance.

 

What We Learned About dos Anjos

He has grown leaps and bounds in recent times. I remember when dos Anjos debuted and opened his UFC career 0-2. I thought this guy wouldn't be around much longer, but I sure was wrong.

The Brazilian is making an argument for being in the top 10 these days. He has gone from being a jiu-jitsu guy to a full mixed martial artist.

 

What We Learned About Cerrone

He is inconsistent. One night, Cerrone will show up looking like a championship contender. Other nights, he just doesn't look the part.

Cerrone will always be an exciting striker and dangerous grappler, but if you catch him on an off night, he is beatable. He needs to use his striking more aggressively moving forward to keep opponents off balance. That's when he snags the knockout (see Dennis Siver and Charles Oliveira fights).

 

What's Next for dos Anjos

He definitely deserves a top opponent. Maybe taking on a guy like Jim Miller would be a good setup for when more top-10 guys free up from their current fights. Giving him guys coming off of losses in the top 10 like Gray Maynard and Nate Diaz would not make sense yet. (Miller is coming off of a win and no contest).

 

What's Next for Cerrone

He needs to take a step back again. He made up for his Anthony Pettis loss by beating down KJ Noons. Now he has to make up for this shabby defeat. Perhaps taking on fellow loser and Fight Night bonus machine Joe Lauzon would make for an all-time classic.