Following his second flyweight title-fight loss to champion Demetrious Johnson, second-ranked John Dodson is moving back to the 135-pound weight class.
Dodson (17-7) was defeated by Johnson a second time at UFC 191 on Sept. 5 by unanimous decision. His only two losses inside the octagon are to the flyweight champion. He’s fought his last seven fights as a flyweight but is no stranger to the bantamweight division.
Dodson earned his place in the UFC by winning The Ultimate Fighter 14 bantamweight tournament in December 2011. He defeated reigning bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw in the season finale, stopping him with strikes in the opening round. Days later, the Las Vegas-based fight promotion announced the creation of the 125-pound weight class, and Dodson made the move down.
Dodson expects to return to action as a bantamweight in the first quarter of 2016. With a win over the current titleholder, “The Magician” could become an immediate contender at 135-pounds.
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