Video After The Jump
LAS VEGAS (MMA Junkie) – UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson was almost flawless in a rematch with John Dodson, answering questions from their 2013 meeting with a performance that left no doubt of his superiority.
Johnson (23-2-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC), No. 1 in the NOS Energy Drink MMA flyweight rankings and No. 3 on the pound-for-pound list, defended his title a seventh time with a unanimous decision over No. 2 flyweight Dodson (17-7 MMA, 7-2 UFC), tying UFC featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo as the winningest champ on the promotion’s roster.
“Mighty Mouse” even added a little edge to his normally placid demeanor, cursing to UFC commentator Joe Rogan.
“John Dodson was saying that I’m garbage, I’m boring, but look at my face,” Johnson, 29, said afterward. “I look prettier than a motherf-cker, and that’s what technique gets your right there.”
The final scorecards were 49-46 twice and 50-45 for the champ, who despite the dig at Dodson – a vocal antagonist in the buildup to Saturday’s event – congratulated him on the recent birth of a daughter.
Dodson’s ability to find Johnson’s jaw as he did when they first met in 2013 at UFC on FOX 6 was shut down by the champion’s rapid footwork and unpredictable striking. Johnson’s lead right hand repeatedly found its mark, gradually deflating the challenger as the fight progressed. A strategy of attacking Dodson while he defended a takedown also paid dividends, with elbows breaking up punches meant to lull him into complacency.
Dodson’s best frame came in the second round when he opened up more with his hands and caught Johnson with his power left. The blows, however, did not produce result they did in their initial meeting.
By the fifth and final round, however, Johnson stopped threatening takedowns and simply put on a clinic, elevating Dodson on several occasions and slamming him to the mat.
Although a finish eluded him as in 2013, when he earned a much narrower win on scorecards, Johnson said his technique allowed him to carry the day when an eyepoke caught him mid-fight.
“I’m a hard worker, and I knew John Dodson was going to come here and work hard,” he said. “But I love working for what I have.”
Up-to-the-minute UFC 191 results include:
- Demetrious Johnson def. John Dodson via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)
- Andrei Arlovski def. Frank Mir via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Anthony Johnson def. Jimi Manuwa via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:28
- Corey Anderson def. Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 29-26)
- Paige VanZant def. Alex Chambers via submission (armbar) – Round 3, 1:01
- Ross Pearson def. Paul Felder via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
- John Lineker def. Francisco Rivera via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:08
- Raquel Pennington def. Jessica Andrade via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:58
- Tiago Trator def. Clay Collard via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Joe Riggs def. Ron Stallings via disqualification (illegal upkick) – Round 2, 2:28
- Joaquim Silva def. Nazareno Malegarie via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)
For complete coverage of UFC 191, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan contributed to this report on site in Las Vegas.)
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