John Dodson, a lightweight fighter at 39 years of age is doing well.
The past two-time UFC title contender has won his last three MMA fights. Now, he is getting ready to fight in RIZIN 45 where he will be going up against the former Shooto champ and winner of the RIZIN 2021 Bantamweight Grand Prix called Hiromasa Ougikubo. But Dodson (24-13) has not just been successful in MMA. Earlier this year, he did something amazing by winning the first BKFC flyweight championship called "The Magician".
Dodson told Cageside Press in an exclusive interview before RIZIN 45 that MMA, bare-knuckle and even boxing might be part of his future.
The secret to my success is a lot of candy and keeping kids reminded that I'm not going anywhere. The one big thing important in life isn't time being on our side, so I battle it." said the always happy Dodson loudly and excitedly. I'm trying my best to do everything really fast and become one of the top strikers ever.
The speed, which seems to have increased a bit since he left the UFC in 2020, is something he likes. "I enjoy this speed because I switch between tough fighting and mixed martial arts. If I could, try a little boxing too it would be great."
It’s no surprise that Dodson is enjoying this career resurgence: He has won his last six fights, three were in MMA and the other three were fought without gloves or padding. What is shocking is the challenge Dodson has at RIZIN 45 in Saitama, Japan on New Year's Eve. Hiromasa Ougikubo used to be a Shooto champion and took part in TUF, but he lost his last three fights against fighters like Kyoji Horiguchi and Juan Archuleta.
"I was really shocked, to be honest. I was about to claim that I wasn't," Dodson confessed when asked about the competition. "But this guy has really said my name when I joined RIZIN. Every time he has a chance to be better than me, he's failed. He stands in front of everyone and says he can beat me. Then all of a sudden, Horiguchi beats him up very badly. Next comes Juan Archuleta who also defeats him badly while saying: "I'm the best flyweight on earth."
"I'm sorry to say, but I am the best flyweight in the world. And as soon as possible will destroy this opponent and get that title."
Next is RIZIN 45, but John Dodson has another place at BKFC and a title there that needs protecting. It's not yet known when his first title defense will happen.
"I don't know the truth, but I hope to end this fight soon. Then we can start really counting and see how fast it would be until I am back in a ring." Dodson wants lots of actions next year. "I want to keep focused and try my best to get lots of fights on early cards like mid-February, mid-March." Early March. I know I've got a fight on New Year's Eve, but one in mid-January would be fine too," said Dodson while laughing.
Being active could mean using some of the best deals going around. But with Bellator bought by PFL, it's not clear what will happen right now. Bellator was starting their flyweight division when they sold. The PFL didn't have a weight class for men that weigh 125 pounds.
It might not really matter, though. Dodson told, "Bellator said I wasn't good enough." That was the main point. Bellator claimed Dodson was not skilled enough to join their group. Same thing with ONE FC. ONE FC said they couldn't imagine me joining that group, because I don't meet the standards. So I said like 'oh, you guys also don't care!'"
For the PFL, who now own Bellator, "I could always use a million dollars. PFL, they always do everything so seasonal. If they had a small person competition, I'd definitely win it for you. And if they let me do two same events, imagine winning both the lightweight and superlight weight tournaments just to please you!
