Demetrious Johnson celebrates defeating John Dodson during thier Flyweight Championship Bout part of UFC on FOX at United Center on January 26, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC Via Getty Images)
Demetrious Johnson successfully defended his flyweight title, going the distance and defeating John Dodson in the main event at UFC on FOX 6 at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday.
After being stunned by heavy strikes early on, Johnson found success with knees in the latter stages of the fight, earning the judges’ nod with scores of 48-47, 49-46 and 48-47.
“The first couple rounds didn’t got the way I wanted to,” Johnson said following the win at the post-fight press conference. “John Dodson’s tough.”
“When you’re going against a guy with puncher power, it’s going to happen.”
Johnson looked good early on in the matchup, pressing the action and controlling the center of the octagon. Dodson did well to counter, throwing and landing punches, but Johnson continued to show aggression and get the takedown to earn the round.
Round two had Dodson showing more aggression than he did in the first five-minute frame. The challenger stunned Johnson twice, although he didn’t follow through to continue with strikes on the ground. Takedowns by Johnson were responded to by Dodson getting back up on the feet shortly after.
Dodson continued his attack as the fight went to the third round, but it was in the fourth that Johnson began to clinch and land several knees. Dodson tried to counter with punches, but the champ continued to land knees and secure takedowns towards the end of the fight.
“His camp did a great job to get him ready for me,” Dodson said in defeat.
With the win, Johnson improves his record to 17-2-1, while Dodson drops to 14-6.
Glover Teixeira (Top) fights Rampage Jackson (Bottom) during their Light Heavyweight Bout part of UFC on FOX at United Center on January 26, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC Via Getty Images)
Teixeira Sends Rampage Packing
Glover Teixeira topped Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the co-main event at UFC on FOX 6, earning the unanimous decision in Chicago.
The Brazilian stood with Jackson and scored points on the feet, and took him down at will to earn the judges’ call with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.
“I knew [knocking] Rampage out is a tough thing to do,” Teixeira said at the press conference.
Teixeira did well to find openings and land strikes in the first round while Rampage looked winded towards the end of the frame. Jackson was taken down with every attempt made by his opponent, and Teixeira kept striking as Jackson worked to get back to the feet.
Jackson got a second wind, scrapping with his opponent at the beginning of the third round, but it didn’t last long. Teixeira continued to easily score takedowns through end of the fight.
When asked who he wants to face after beating a former light heavyweight champion, Teixeira responded by saying it’s the UFC’s job to pick his opponents, but he’ll be prepared at a moment’s notice.
“I’ll fight anyone,” Teixeira said. “Whenever they call me, I’ll be ready.”
With the win, Teixeira improves to 20-2. In his last contracted fight with the UFC, Jackson drops to 32-11.
Pettis TKOs Cerrone in the First
Anthony Pettis finished Donald Cerrone in the first round of the second UFC on FOX 6 main card fight on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Pettis landed several kicks, but it was a mid kick that made Cerrone cringe and have the referee step in to stop the fight at 2:35 of the opening round.
“I ain’t scared of nobody,” Pettis said in his post-fight interview. “I want that belt.”
Pettis, a third-degree taekwondo black belt, landed several strikes on the Muay Thai specialist and hurt him with shots to the midsection.
Cerrone curled up after Pettis landed a well-placed kick to the ribs, and the referee stopped the fight after two more strikes to the head.
Pettis is now 16-2, and will face the winner of the Henderson-Melendez lightweight title fight scheduled for April 20, according to UFC president Dana White. Cerrone drops his record to 19-5.
Lamas Smashes Koch
Ricardo Lamas knocked out Erik Koch in the second round of the opening main card fight at UFC on FOX 6 on Saturday.
After initially meeting stiff takedown defense from Koch in the first round, Lamas was able to bring the fight to the ground and land strong punches from top position in the second. Lamas then landed several elbows, rendering Koch unconscious. The referee stepped in at 2:32 of the round.
With the win, Lamas improves to 13-2, and Koch drops to 13-2.
Preliminary Results:
- T.J. Grant def. Matt Wiman by knockout (elbows, strikes on the ground) at 4:51, Round 1
- Clay Guida def. Hatsu Hioki by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
- Pascal Krauss def. Mike Stumpf by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Ryan Bader def. Vladimir Matyusheko by submission (head & arm choke) at 0:50, Round 1
- Shawn Jordan def. Mike Russow via TKO (punches from mount) at 3:48, Round 2
- Rafael Natal def. Sean Spencer by submission (arm triangle) at 2:13, Round 3
- David Mitchell def. Simeon Thoresen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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