John Dodson (born September 26, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer who competes in the flyweight divisions of Rizin Fighting Federation and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where in the latter promotion, he is the inaugural and current BKFC Flyweight Champion. A professional mixed martial arts competitor since 2004, Dodson has made a name for himself fighting mainly in the Southwest region. He was the winner of the Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller and competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship where he was a two-time title challenger, competing most recently in the bantamweight division, and is a veteran of the promotion with nine years of competition.
Contents
Early and personal life
Dodson was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He grew up in Albuquerque and later moved to Edgewood, New Mexico with his family. Dodson is of African American and Filipino descent. He attended Moriarty High School in Moriarty, New Mexico. While attending Moriarty High School, Dodson competed in track and field, football and amateur wrestling. In wrestling, Dodson was a two-time state champion, one time state runner-up and four time district champion. Dodson graduated from high school in 2003, and then enrolled at the University of New Mexico while working at a local Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant. However, he did not earn a degree.
Dodson was raised by a single mother who hails from the Philippines, along with his brother, Eric. His favorite Filipino food is Pancit. Dodson has daughters named Delilah Skye and Aurora Rose with his wife Chelsea.
Mixed martial arts career
Dodson began training MMA in 2002 after Chris Luttrell and Greg Jackson recruited him for his extensive wrestling background. After the first day of training, he "fell in love with the sport" and continued to train daily with Jackson.
Dodson competed in a Grappler's Quest and won in the beginner level. Four months later, he competed in another submission tournament, winning at the intermediate level. Six months later, Dodson competed in his first amateur fight. He competed in one other amateur bout before turning pro. Dodson was offered to make his debut in Japan against the number one ranked flyweight in the world, Yasuhiro Urushitani. Dodson lost the fight via decision.
With the lack of fights materializing at flyweight, Dodson began taking fights at featherweight and bantamweight as well. He obtained a 3–2 record before taking a fight against future WEC fighter, Clint Godfrey, winning the fight via decision. With the win over Godfrey, Dodson was selected to be a part of the second season of the Tapout Reality show.
Despite having a 1–1 record under the Ultimate Warrior Challenge promotion, he was awarded shot at the vacant UWC flyweight title at UWC 7. Dodson was defeated by Pat Runez in a highly controversial five-round decision. At UWC 8, Dodson defeated previously unbeaten Jesse Riggleman via unanimous decision.
Dodson was expected to fight at Tachi Palace Fights 9 against Alexis Vila. However, Vila suffered an injury and was forced to pull out of the bout. Vila was replaced by former Shooto champion Mamoru Yamaguchi. Dodson then pulled out of the fight for unknown reasons, and was replaced by Kevin Dunsmoor.
The Ultimate Fighter
In 2011, Dodson had signed with the UFC to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller. In the first episode, Dodson fought Brandon Merkt to gain entry into the Ultimate Fighter house. Dodson defeated Merkt in the first round via TKO.
Dodson was selected as a part of Team Mayhem, he was the first bantamweight chosen for the team (fourth overall). Dodson defeated John Albert via unanimous decision in the preliminary round and moved onto the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals Dodson was selected to fight Team Mayhem teammate, Johnny Bedford. After a close first round, Dodson won the fight via KO in the first minute of the second round. The win moved Dodson into the finals. The impressive finish also won Dodson an additional $25,000 for the fan voted "Knockout of the Season".
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Dodson made his UFC debut on December 3, 2011, at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale against T.J. Dillashaw to determine the bantamweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 14. Dodson won the fight via TKO in the first round to become the first Bantamweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter competition. He received an additional $40,000 for winning Knockout of the Night honors.
For his next fight, Dodson moved back down to the flyweight division and was expected to face Darren Uyenoyama on May 5, 2012, at UFC on Fox 3. However, Uyenoyama was forced out of the bout, and was replaced by promotional newcomer Tim Elliott. Dodson defeated Elliott by unanimous decision, generating crowd booing.
Dodson faced promotional newcomer Jussier Formiga on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Dodson faced UFC Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson on January 26, 2013, at UFC on Fox 6, becoming the first Ultimate Fighter alumnus to fight for a title post-season 5. Despite knocking Johnson down twice in the second round, Dodson lost the fight via unanimous decision in a bout that earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.
Dodson faced promotional newcomer Darrell Montague on October 19, 2013, at UFC 166. He won via knockout at 4:13 of the first round. The win also earned him his second Knockout of the Night award.
Dodson was expected to face Scott Jorgensen on December 14, 2013, at UFC on Fox 9, replacing Ian McCall. However, Dodson himself was forced from the bout after sustaining a knee injury. Jorgensen instead faced promotional newcomer Zach Makovsky.
A rematch with John Moraga took place on June 7, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 42. Dodson won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage between rounds two and three after a knee he threw late in the second round.
Dodson faced Zach Makovsky on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187. Dodson won the fight via unanimous decision.
Post UFC
Dodson was scheduled to fight his first bout after release on July 30, 2021, at XMMA 2 against Cody Gibson. However, Dodson got into a potentially life-threatening car accident with his family and withdrew from the bout. Gibson knocked out replacement Louis Sanoudakis in 44 seconds. Dodson's bout with Gibson was rescheduled for XMMA 3 on October 23. Dodson lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Dodson faced Francisco Rivera on April 2, 2022, at XMMA 4. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Dodson signed a multi-fight contract with Rizin Fighting Federation and debuted against Hideo Tokoro in a return to flyweight on December 31, 2022, at Rizin 40. He won the bout by knockout in the first round via punches.
Dodson faced Tatsuki Saomoto at Rizin 42 on May 6, 2023. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Dodson faced Hiromasa Ougikubo on December 31, 2023, at Rizin 45. and lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Bare-knuckle boxing career
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
In June 2022, it was announced that Dodson signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Dodson faced Ryan Benoit on August 27, 2022, at BKFC 28. Dodson won the fight via knockout in the first round. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Dodson fought Jarod Grant on February 17, 2023, at BKFC KnuckleMania 3. He won the bout by first round knockout.
Dodson fought for the inaugural BKFC Flyweight championship on August 11, 2023, at BKFC 48 and won by first round technical knockout.
On March 29, 2024 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dodson put his BKFC Flyweight Championship on the line against Dagoberto Aguero in the main event of BKFC 59. The fight was ruled a unanimous draw. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Dodson is scheduled to compete for the BKFC Bantamweight Championship against Jamel Herring on October 17, 2026 at BKFC 95.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighter 14 Bantamweight Tournament Winner
The Ultimate Fighter 14 Knockout of the Season
Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Demetrious Johnson
Knockout of the Night (Two times) vs. T.J. Dillashaw and Darrell Montague
UFC.com Awards
2011: Ranked #5 Newcomer of the Year (Tied with Diego Brandão)
2013: Ranked #7 Fight of the Year vs. Demetrious Johnson
Bare-knuckle boxing
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
BKFC Flyweight Championship (One time; current; inaugural)
Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Dagoberto Aguero
Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Ryan Benoit
