UFC Releases ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ 14 Winner John Dodson

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has cut ties to “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 14 winner and two-time flyweight title challenger John Dodson. MMAFighting.com was first to report his release from the organization.

Dodson debuted in the UFC in 2011 and compiled a 10-6 record with the promotion during what was something of an uneven tenure marked be exhilarating highs and disappointing lows. The Jackson-Wink MMA mainstay twice fought for the flyweight crown, losing five-round decisions to an all-time great in Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Fox 6 and UFC 191. Dodson returned to the bantamweight division in April 2016 but lost five times in nine appearances at 135 pounds, never again regaining his championship-level footing. He last competed at UFC 252, where he wound up on the wrong side of a unanimous verdict against Merab Dvalishvili on Aug. 15.

Now 35, Dodson will carry a well-established reputation as one of MMA’s most durable fighters to his next destination. He has never been finished in his 33-fight career.