John Dodson (fighter)
Encyclopedia
Johnathan Dodson III is an American
professional
mixed martial arts
(MMA) fighter. A professional MMA competitor since 2004, Dodson has made a name for himself fighting mainly in the Southwest region. He is a competitor on Spike TV
's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.
. He grew up in Albuquerque then he and his family moved to Edgewood, New Mexico
. He attended Moriarty High School in Moriarty, New Mexico
. While attending Moriarty, Dodson competed in track, basketball, wrestling, and gymnastics. 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.
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 did another submission tournament, winning that 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 a controversial 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 apart 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.
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.
against T.J. Dillashaw
to determine the bantamweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 14
.
|
| style="text-align:center;"|
|
T.J. Dillashaw
|
|The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale
|
| style="text-align:center;"|
| style="text-align:center;"|
|Las Vegas, Nevada
, U.S.
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|11-5
| John Moraga
|Decision (unanimous)
|Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Punta Cana
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|10-5
| Jessie Riggleman
|Decision (unanimous)
|UWC 8: Judgment Day
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Fairfax, Virginia
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
| style="text-align:center;"|9-5
| Pat Runez
|Decision (split)
|UWC 7: Redemption
|
| style="text-align:center;"|5
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Fairfax, Virginia
, United States
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|9-4
| Jose Lujan
|TKO (punches)
|Duke City MMA Series 2
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|0:52
|Albuquerque, New Mexico
, United States
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|8-4
| Jose Villarisco
|Decision (unanimous)
|UWC 5: Man O' War
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Fairfax, Virginia
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
| style="text-align:center;"|7-4
| Mike Easton
|Decision (split)
|UWC 4: Confrontation
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Fairfax, Virginia
, United States
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|7-3
| Vern Baca
|TKO (punches)
|Battlequest 8
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|3:42
|Denver, Colorado
, United States
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|6-3
| Zac White
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Last Man Standing: The Prodigy
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|3:42
|Roswell, New Mexico
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
| style="text-align:center;"|5-3
| Bill Boland
|Decision (unanimous)
|Ultimate Cage Wars 7: Anarchy
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Winnipeg, Manitoba
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|5-2
| Jake Long
|TKO (slam & punches)
|Last Man Standing: Total Devastation
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|N/A
|Roswell, New Mexico
, United States
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|4-2
| Clint Godfrey
|Decision (unanimous)
|Ring of Fire 27: Collision Course
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Castle Rock, Colorado
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
| style="text-align:center;"|3-2
| Joe Doherty
|Decision (unanimous)
|Ring of Fire 25: Overdrive
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Vail, Colorado
, United States
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|3-1
| Ron Rumpf
|Submission (guillotine)
|Gladiator Challenge 53: Hell Storm
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1:18
|Porterville, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|2-1
| Jared Moreland
|TKO (punches)
|Rumble in the Rockies 2
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|2:55
|Loveland, Colorado
, United States
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|1-1
| Johnny Velasquez
|Decision (split)
|King of the Cage: Socorro
|
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Socorro, New Mexico
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
| style="text-align:center;"|0-1
|
Yasuhiro Urushitani
|Decision (unanimous)
|GCM: Demolition 20
|
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Tokyo
|
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
(MMA) fighter. A professional MMA competitor since 2004, Dodson has made a name for himself fighting mainly in the Southwest region. He is a competitor on Spike TV
Spike TV
Spike is an American cable television channel. It launched on March 7, 1983 as The Nashville Network , a joint venture of WSM, Inc...
's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.
Early life
Dodson was born in Albuquerque, New MexicoAlbuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. He grew up in Albuquerque then he and his family moved to Edgewood, New Mexico
Edgewood, New Mexico
Edgewood is a town in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States. It is part of the Santa Fe, New Mexico Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,375 at the 2010 Census.- History :...
. He attended Moriarty High School in Moriarty, New Mexico
Moriarty, New Mexico
Moriarty is a city in Torrance County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,910 at the 2010 Census. It is part of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Moriarty is located at ....
. While attending Moriarty, Dodson competed in track, basketball, wrestling, and gymnastics. 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
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
while working at a local Chuck E. Cheese.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Dodson began training MMA in 2002 after Chris Luttrell, and Greg JacksonGreg Jackson
Greg Jackson may refer to:*Greg Jackson , American football player*Greg Jackson , basketball coach*Greg Jackson , mixed martial arts coach, founder of Jackson's Submission Fighting...
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 did another submission tournament, winning that 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
Yasuhiro Urushitani
is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist. He has only been finished once, and has been consistently ranked as one of top flyweight's in the world by Sherdog's Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings. He is known for his slick counter striking...
. Dodson lost the fight via a controversial 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
Clint Godfrey
Clint Godfrey is an American mixed martial artist. He currently fights in WEC's bantamweight division.Godfrey was defeated in his WEC debut against former International Fight League featherweight champion Wagnney Fabiano at WEC 46...
, winning the fight via decision. With the win over Godfrey, Dodson was selected to be apart 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
Tachi Palace Fights 9
Tachi Palace Fights 9 was a mixed martial arts event held by Tachi Palace Fights on Friday, May 6 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California.-Background:...
against Alexis Vila
Alexis Vila
|-|Loss|align=center|11-1|Eduardo Dantas|Decision |Bellator 59||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States|Bellator Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament Final|-|Win|align=center|11-0|Marcos Galvão|Decision...
. However, Vila suffered an injury and was forced to pull out of the bout. Vila was replaced by former Shooto champion Mamoru Yamaguchi
Mamoru Yamaguchi
is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He is a former Shooto Bantamweight Champion and a former Shooto Featherweight Champion. He has been consistently ranked as one of the top flyweight in the world by Sherdog's Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings. Mamoru is known for his counter striking and his...
. 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 UFCUltimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
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
Johnny Bedford
Johnny Bedford is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Bedford has made a name for himself fighting all over the United States, mainly the Midwest region. Bedford has competed for top organizations such as Bellator Fighting Championships....
. 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.
Ultimate Fighting Championships
Dodson will officially make his UFC debut on December 3, 2011 at The Ultimate Fighter 14 FinaleThe Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale
The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 3, 2011 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.-Background:...
against T.J. Dillashaw
T.J. Dillashaw
Tylor Jeffery "T.J." Dillashaw is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. A professional MMA competitor since 2010, Dillashaw has made a name for himself fighting throughout the West Coast. He is a competitor on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs...
to determine the bantamweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 14
The Ultimate Fighter 14
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller is the fourteenth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship -produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter....
.
Mixed martial arts record
|-|
| style="text-align:center;"|
|
T.J. DillashawT.J. Dillashaw
Tylor Jeffery "T.J." Dillashaw is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. A professional MMA competitor since 2010, Dillashaw has made a name for himself fighting throughout the West Coast. He is a competitor on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs...
|
|The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale
The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale
The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 3, 2011 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.-Background:...
|
| style="text-align:center;"|
| style="text-align:center;"|
|Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, U.S.
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|11-5
|
John Moraga|Decision (unanimous)
|Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion
Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion
Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion was a mixed martial arts event promoted by Nemesis Fighting. It was originally schedueled to take place on November 13, 2010 in Punta Cana, La Altagracia....
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Punta Cana
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|10-5
|
Jessie Riggleman|Decision (unanimous)
|UWC 8: Judgment Day
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
| style="text-align:center;"|9-5
|
Pat Runez|Decision (split)
|UWC 7: Redemption
|
| style="text-align:center;"|5
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|9-4
|
Jose Lujan|TKO (punches)
|Duke City MMA Series 2
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|0:52
|Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|8-4
|
Jose Villarisco|Decision (unanimous)
|UWC 5: Man O' War
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
| style="text-align:center;"|7-4
|
Mike EastonMike Easton
Mike Easton is an American mixed martial artist who is currently under contract for the Ultimate Fighting Championship . Easton holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Lloyd Irvin...
|Decision (split)
|UWC 4: Confrontation
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|7-3
|
Vern Baca|TKO (punches)
|Battlequest 8
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|3:42
|Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|6-3
|
Zac White|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Last Man Standing: The Prodigy
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|3:42
|Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 48,366 at the 2010 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
| style="text-align:center;"|5-3
|
Bill Boland|Decision (unanimous)
|Ultimate Cage Wars 7: Anarchy
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Winnipeg, Manitoba
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|5-2
|
Jake Long|TKO (slam & punches)
|Last Man Standing: Total Devastation
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|N/A
|Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 48,366 at the 2010 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|4-2
|
Clint GodfreyClint Godfrey
Clint Godfrey is an American mixed martial artist. He currently fights in WEC's bantamweight division.Godfrey was defeated in his WEC debut against former International Fight League featherweight champion Wagnney Fabiano at WEC 46...
|Decision (unanimous)
|Ring of Fire 27: Collision Course
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Castle Rock, Colorado
Castle Rock, Colorado
The Town of Castle Rock is the county seat of Douglas County, Colorado, United States and is named for the prominent castle tower-shaped butte near the center of town. It is part of Colorado's Front Range Urban Corridor and is located roughly 28 miles south of Denver and 37 miles north of...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
| style="text-align:center;"|3-2
|
Joe Doherty|Decision (unanimous)
|Ring of Fire 25: Overdrive
|
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Vail, Colorado
Vail, Colorado
The Town of Vail is a Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. The population of the town was 4,589 in 2005. The town was established and built as the base village to Vail Ski Resort, with which it was originally conceived...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|3-1
|
Ron Rumpf|Submission (guillotine)
|Gladiator Challenge 53: Hell Storm
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1:18
|Porterville, California
Porterville, California
Porterville is a city in the San Joaquin Valley, in Tulare County, California, United States. Porterville's population was 54,165 at the 2010 census. The city's population grew dramatically as the city annexed many properties and unincorporated areas in and around Porterville. Not included in the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|2-1
|
Jared Moreland|TKO (punches)
|Rumble in the Rockies 2
|
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|2:55
|Loveland, Colorado
Loveland, Colorado
Loveland is a Home Rule Municipality that is the second most populous city in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Loveland is situated north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. Loveland is the 14th most populous city in Colorado. The United States Census Bureau that in 2010 the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
| style="text-align:center;"|1-1
|
Johnny Velasquez|Decision (split)
|King of the Cage: Socorro
|
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Socorro, New Mexico
Socorro, New Mexico
Socorro is a city in Socorro County in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It stands in the Rio Grande Valley at an elevation of . The population was 9,051 at the 2010 census...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
| style="text-align:center;"|0-1
|
Yasuhiro UrushitaniYasuhiro Urushitani
is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist. He has only been finished once, and has been consistently ranked as one of top flyweight's in the world by Sherdog's Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings. He is known for his slick counter striking...
|Decision (unanimous)
|GCM: Demolition 20
|
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|5:00
|Tokyo
|