John Dodson, the seasoned combat sports veteran known for his explosive speed and “The Magician” moniker, currently reigns as the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) flyweight king. While dominating the squared circle with an undefeated 5-0 record, Dodson recently turned heads with outspoken comments regarding the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he previously competed at the highest level, even challenging Demetrious Johnson for the title twice during his tenure which ended in 2020.
John Dodson`s Audacious Claims on UFC`s Flyweight Throne
Despite being nearly five years removed from his last UFC bout against current bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, Dodson expressed unwavering confidence in his ability to defeat the division`s current elite should he return. Specifically, he declared he could knock out reigning UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja.
“Well, I can go ahead and knock out Pantoja,” Dodson stated matter-of-factly in a recent interview.
This is a significant claim, considering Pantoja`s impressive resume, an 8-fight win streak, and his reputation for relentless pressure and grappling. Pantoja recently secured his fourth-straight title defense at UFC 317 and is currently ranked #5 in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. Notably, the submission specialist has never been finished by knockout or submission in his extensive 35-fight professional career.
But Dodson didn`t stop there, also setting his sights on the division`s top contender, Joshua Van. With a touch of competitive flair, Dodson asserted he possesses the “Filipino power” required to put Van away. The 23-year-old Van, boasting a 15-2 pro record, recently secured a major victory over former title challenger Brandon Royval at UFC 317.
Dodson acknowledged that a return to the UFC is a possibility, stating that “That door can always be reopened.” However, he emphasized his immediate focus remains on delivering “dominant performances” in BKFC and fulfilling commitments in Japan, presumably referring to his recent outings under the RIZIN banner.
An Interim Title? `Stupid,` Says the Reigning Champion
Curiously, while discussing potential future endeavors in other promotions, Dodson also addressed the recent creation of an interim BKFC flyweight title within his *own* division. BKFC is set to crown an interim champion this weekend between Gee Perez and Andrew Strode, ostensibly to set up a title unification bout with Dodson in the near future.
This move comes despite Dodson holding the undisputed title. His last BKFC fight was a draw over a year ago, and he has competed for RIZIN in Japan twice during this period. BKFC has previously shown a firm stance against its champions competing for other promotions, notably stripping lightweight champion Franco Tenaglia for taking an MMA fight. In Dodson`s case, it appears the promotion opted for an interim belt rather than stripping him.
Dodson`s reaction to the situation was blunt during the recent BKFC `Champions Summit` press conference. “First of all, I think that’s stupid that they make an interim title that I’m an active champion,” he commented. He clarified his position, stating, “Like, I’m waiting to fight anybody… I asked to fight both the guys that are fighting for the title. I’ll go ahead and get the winner.”
A Champion at a Crossroads
John Dodson finds himself in a unique crossroads in his combat sports career: a dominant champion in one promotion (BKFC) making bold declarations about conquering the elite of another (UFC), all while his *current* championship status is complicated by an unexpected interim title in his division. His journey continues to be one of intriguing turns and confident pronouncements, proving “The Magician” still has a few tricks up his sleeve, both inside the ring and with his words.
Marcus Bellamy