Two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight contender John Dodson is free to explore options with other mixed martial arts promotions.
Ariel Helwani posted the news of the contract breakdown through Twitter.
Free agent John Dodson met with UFC officials recently. They didn’t come to terms on a new deal at the time and he’s now free to shop around. Door isn’t closed on a UFC return at all, but he’s currently exploring options, sources say.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 25, 2018
Dodson had been with the UFC for over six years and had a 9-4 record. He fought current flyweight champion Demetrius Johnson twice for the title. The first encounter was in January 2013, where he lost by unanimous decision in a fairly competitive bout. In September 2015 they met again, this time “Mighty Mouse” showed why many fans consider him the pound-for-pound champion when he completely dominated Dodson from start to finish, winning again by unanimous decision.
Dodson earned his spot on the UFC roster by winning Season 14 of “The Ultimate Fighter” back in December 2011. “The Magician” knocked out T.J. Dillashaw in the first round to win the lucrative contract. Dillashaw has gone on to bigger and better things inside the Octagon as a two-time bantamweight champion.