John Dodson

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.

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.

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.

Dodson's mother raised him and his brother, Eric, as a single parent.

His favorite Filipino food is Pancit.

Dodson has daughters named Delilah Skye and Aurora Rose with his wife Chelsea.

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 9 years of competition.

Dodson was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He grew up in Albuquerque and later moved to Edgewood, New Mexico, with his family.

He attended Moriarty High School in Moriarty, New Mexico.

Dodson is half Black-American, half Filipino.

While attending Moriarty, Dodson competed in track, football and wrestling.

In wrestling, Dodson was a two-time state champion, one time state runner-up and four time district champion.

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".