Demetrious Johnson Paints Another Masterpiece, Retains Flyweight Title at UFC 191
There was no magic moment for John Dodson. Demetrious Johnson made sure of it.
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Dodson (18-7, 6-2 UFC) enjoyed some success in the clinch, but it was fleeting and amounted to little more than a blip on the radar. Johnson was merciless with his forward movement and output, battering “The Magician” with lead right hands and everything else in his well-stocked arsenal. He kept Dodson guessing with stance switches, well-timed single-leg takedown attempts and occasional kicks to the head, body and legs. With the Jackson-Wink MMA standout effectively worn down, Johnson started doubling up on his right hand and landed takedowns in the third, fourth and fifth rounds.
The 29-year-old Johnson has won nine fights in a row. He still has
never lost at 125 pounds.
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Arlovski Downs Mir, Wins Sixth Straight
In the heavyweight co-main event, Jackson-Wink MMA export Andrei Arlovski pushed his winning streak to six fights with a unanimous decision over fellow former champion Frank Mir. Scores were 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27, all for Arlovski (25-10, 14-4 UFC).
Much of the plodding and largely uneventful fight was spent in the clinch, where they exchanged knees, punches, elbows and positioning. From a distance, Arlovski pecked away with pawing jabs and straight rights while mixing in leg kicks and dodging the return fire. Mir (18-10, 16-10 UFC) changed tactics in the second round, as he struck for a takedown and turned to his ground-and-pound, firing away with punches and elbows to the body and head.
With the fight still up in the air, Mir again put the Belarusian on the canvas. However, his inability to keep him there proved costly. Arlovski returned to an upright position, held his own in the clinch and snapped back Mir’s head with a pair of left hands, drawing blood from a cut near his right eye.
‘Rumble’ Johnson KOs Manuwa
Blackzilians representative Anthony Johnson knocked out Jimi Manuwa with a looping right hand and follow-up punches in the second round of their light heavyweight showcase. Johnson (20-5, 11-5 UFC) brought it to a close 28 seconds into round two.
Manuwa (15-2, 5-2 UFC) never established himself as a legitimate threat. Johnson rocked the former Ultimate Challenge MMA champion with a right hand in the first round, delivered a pair of takedowns and grinded on him from top position for much of the frame. At the start of round two, “Rumble” landed a body kick and fired a counter right that connected on the jaw. Manuwa’s eyes rolled back as he collapsed to the canvas, where Johnson dropped two more rights and forced referee Jason Herzog to intervene.
The 31-year-old Johnson has won 11 of his past 12 bouts, losing only to current 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier.
‘TUF 19’ Winner Anderson Routs Blachowicz
Takedowns and punishing ground-and-pound carried “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 19 winner Corey Anderson to a lopsided unanimous decision over former KSW champion Jan Blachowicz in a featured battle at 205 pounds. All three cageside judges scored it for Anderson (6-1, 3-1 UFC): 30-25, 30-25 and 29-26.
Blachowicz (18-5, 1-2 UFC) connected with a few punches and executed a takedown of his own early in round one, but the Pole’s situation deteriorated from there. Anderson closed the distance, took it to the mat and went to work. Blachowicz slowly broke. Anderson fed him a steady diet of elbows, forearm strikes and short punches from full guard and half guard, rebounding from his April 18 defeat to Gian Villante.'
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VanZant Armbar Submits Chambers
Paige VanZant submitted Alex Chambers with a third-round armbar in a women’s strawweight showcase. Chambers (5-3, 1-2 UFC) yielded 61 seconds into round three.
VanZant (6-1, 3-0 UFC) abused the American Top Team-trained Australian in the clinch, where she repeatedly snatched the double collar tie and uncorked knees to the body, standing elbows to the head and occasional foot stomps. Chambers ultimately wilted under the stifling pressure. Early in the third round, VanZant drove Chambers to the canvas, passed to full mount under threat of a rear-naked choke and snatched the armbar, forcing the 36-year-old to tap with her hand and both feet.
Team Alpha Male’s VanZant has rattled off four straight wins.
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