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       #Post#: 86--------------------------------------------------
       Dana looking at Johnson vs Dodson rematch
   DIR By: Noctrnl
       Date: June 20, 2014, 12:26 am
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  HTML http://mmajunkie.com/2014/06/ufc-boss-leaning-toward-johnson-dodson-rematch-regardless-of-champs-desires
       UFC President Dana White hasn’t booked the fight just yet, but
       he’s leaning toward a rematch for flyweight champion Demetrious
       Johnson‘s next outing.
       And that’s whether or not “Mighty Mouse” is actually interested
       in fighting John Dodson again or not.
       “Too bad if Demetrious doesn’t like that fight,” White told
       UFC.com. “That’s the fight he’s probably looking at. No doubt
       about it, that is (potentially) one of the premier matchups in
       the UFC this year.”
       Johnson, of course, fought this past weekend at UFC 174, where
       he whitewashed Ali Bagautinov in an impressive defense of the
       125-pound title. One week earlier, Dodson again proclaimed
       himself the division’s No. 1 contender slot with a third-round
       finish of the gritty John Moraga.
       At UFC 174′s post-event press conference, Johnson said he
       was open to a rematch with Dodson but was quick to point out
       there are plenty of other viable contenders at flyweight, as
       well.
       “There’s a lot of challenges in this weight class that I need to
       fight,” Johnson said. “Dodson, I overcame him; he’s a challenge.
       But there are plenty of guys; there’s a guy in the division who
       has a win over me. There’s Zach Makovsky, so I’m just looking
       for new challenges.”
       Johnson (20-2-1 MMA, 8-1-1 UFC) and Dodson (16-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
       met in January 2013. It was actually Dodson who raced out to an
       early lead, but Johnson battled back to claim the final three
       rounds and score a unanimous-decision win.
       Johnson, of course, qualified his statement by insisting he
       wasn’t trying to steer clear of Dodson but simply wanted fans
       and media, alike, to understand the challenges that exist at 125
       pounds.
       “I’m not trying to avoid that fight,” he said. “Obviously, it’s
       up to the UFC to make that decision. The reason why I say that
       is because this division is rich with great athletes and great
       fighters, and many of you guys know that Dodson isn’t the only
       person in this division.”
       White said he understands Johnson’s logic but that he likely
       needs to get ready for a rematch.
       “(Johnson) looked amazing, and he looks better every time he
       fights,” White stated. “He’s a guy that’s building a division.
       He’s building that division for us. I love the Johnson-Dodson
       fight.”
       For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC
       Rumors section of the site
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