Power Ranking John Dodson's 5 UFC Victories
Former flyweight title challenger John "The Magician" Dodson has been relegated to the sidelines since his lopsided second-round TKO of John Moraga in June.
The 30-year-old re-aggravated a lingering knee issue during his bout with Moraga and underwent surgery a month later to repair his ACL and MCL. Dodson has compiled a 5-1 record in the UFC, including a first-round TKO over current 135-pound champion T.J. Dillashaw that won him The Ultimate Fighter in December 2011.
"I'm looking at six to eight months of me actually being out before I can start going back in the gym and going hard and stuff," Dodson told Fox Sports in July.
By the looks of his Instagram account, he is on his way to a full recovery. Dodson, who fights out of Jackson's MMA, remains the No. 2 flyweight behind champion Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson. That doesn't mean he's set on a rematch.
"I'm trying to get whatever gold is available to get at that time," Dodson told Bleacher Report's Duane Finley in November. "I'll take it from D.J. or T.J. It really doesn't matter to me.
While we await his return at either 125 or 135 pounds—sometime later this year—let's take a look at his most memorable wins in the UFC.
For the purpose of these rankings, difficulty of opponent and ease at which victory was achieved will be taken into account.
5. The Magician Earns Flyweight Title Shot with Win over Jussier Formiga
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Despite not being nearly as appealing to the eyes as his prior bout against Tim Elliott, Dodson executed a more tactful approach at UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot in October 2012, staying on the outside and pouncing on the Nova Uniao staple when needed.
In what was a rather uneventful opening round, where neither fighter amounted much damage, things began to heat up in the second.
Formiga was dropped by a Dodson left, and rather than engage on the ground with the accomplished jiu-jitsu artist, The Magician forced him to stand up and fight in his world.
As it looked like this one might head into the final frame, Dodson dropped him with the same punch in the last minute, putting an end to the Brazilian's night.
It wasn't pretty, but it was effective, and that's all that matters as the finish earned him a crack at Johnson.
4. Dodson Decisions Tim Elliott at UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller
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The Magician hung tough and went all three rounds to defeat wrestler and highly unorthodox striker Tim Elliott in May 2012.
The Grindhouse MMA fighter brought the fight to Dodson's doorstep, consistently throwing Capoeira-esque kicks and a steady dose of overhand shots. The Magician, though, withstood an endless offensive attack from Elliott and countered with knees, body kicks and right hooks.
Elliott is arguably the only other man to take a round from Dodson outside of the flyweight champion Johnson. While it might not have been as dominant as his other victories, Dodson showed the composure—in a highly entertaining affair at 125 pounds—needed to withstand the most aggressive styles the division has to offer.
3. Dodson Stops John Moraga in Hometown of Albuquerque, NM
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The New Mexico native, eager to meet Mighty Mouse one more time, faced off with familiar foe Moraga— the pair had fought prior to their UFC stints, with Dodson besting Moraga via unanimous decision—in the summer of 2014, and the results were electric.
In typical Dodson fashion, the fight began slow. The Magician saved his best trick for later, as he rocked the fighter from the nearby MMA Lab in Phoenix with a pretty knee—on a head-kick attempt—to Moraga's face.
Only after a cageside doctor looked at his mangled nose was Dodson awarded with a second-round TKO victory. Dodson also became the first fighter to finish Moraga via knockout in his career.
What set this victory apart from his stoppage of Formiga was the strike. I mean, as Bleacher Report's Riley Kontek put it, did you see that "kick-knee" thing?
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2. Dodson Bounces Back with First-Round KO of Darrell Montague
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In what was arguably his most impressive finish—we're saving that one for last— the former top contender took out the well-rounded Montague, after his title loss, in October 2013.
Dodson's speed proved no match for the Millennia MMA fighter from the get-go, as Montague landed all but 10 significant strikes before succumbing to a crisp straight left hand from the southpaw.
The fight was called shortly after Dodson slammed him and peppered him with hooks against the fence.
For The Magician, he was able to distance himself from disappointment and get back on the winning track with authority. This third knockout win also solidified his standing atop the 125-pound pecking order and earned him the third performance bonus of his UFC career.
What was his first career UFC knockout victory, you ask? Well, you'll just have to flip the page to find out.
1. Dodson Defeats T.J. Dillashaw to Win TUF Title
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After barreling through competition on Season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter, Dodson earned a spot in the show's finale in December 2011 against then Team Alpha Male up-and-comer T.J. Dillashaw.
Dillashaw carried a reach advantage into this fight, whereas Dodson easily held an advantage in the speed department. Following a series of exchanges filled with leg and body kicks, and small flurries of punches, Dodson landed a clean left hook on the jaw of Dillashaw.
The Magician threw one more at the already shaky bantamweight, which sent Dillashaw crumbling to the mat as Herb Dean stepped in near the three-minute mark of the first round. Dodson not only won TUF 14, but he also claimed the first of three performance bonuses in his burgeoning UFC career.
It was the most fantastic display of power we've seen out of Dodson yet, who has been an absolute handful to contain at 125 pounds.
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