Demetrious Johnson to Defend Flyweight Title Against John Dodson in UFC 191 Main Event

Reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson has become one of the world’s greatest fighters pound-for-pound and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. “Mighty Mouse” has taken on everybody since capturing the title and he’s run out of worthy opponents to try and wrest the title from him.

Enter John Dodson in an attempt to become the first man to topple Johnson since Dominick Cruz back in October 2011. Dodson already lost to Johnson once – at UFC on Fox 6 two-and-a-half years ago -- but Dodson arguably came the closest to stopping Demetrious on his way to the zenith of the weight class.

Dodson dropped the champion in the second round after rocking him in the first, but Johnson was able to bounce back and dominate “The Magician” down the stretch and win a decision. Johnson has won five consecutive bouts since beating Dodson and he’s gotten better with each passing battle. Dodson has won three straight, his most recent outing a lopsided unanimous nod over veteran Zach Makovsky at UFC 187.

The rematch between the two 125-pound rivals will headline UFC 191, which will take place inside the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sept. 5. It will mark the third rematch in Johnson’s career; he’s yet to lose a second time he’s fought someone. Dodson is also 2-0 in rematches heading into his return bout with “Mighty Mouse.”

The promotion also announced a portion of the UFC 191 undercard on the UFC Fight Night 71 telecast, stating that a light heavyweight encounter between former title challenger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and Jan Blachowicz will be one of the featured bouts. Johnson had a career resurgence during the past few years, winning nine straight bouts en route to his return to the UFC. He earned a shot at the light heavyweight championship, but he fell short against Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 187 in May.

Blachowicz is looking to bounce back from a loss to Jimi Manuwa on the UFC Fight Night 64 card in April. Until that defeat, the Pole had conquered six straight foes. An all-around solid fighter, Blachowicz is 1-1 in his UFC career.

The UFC also announced a women’s strawweight battle between Paige VanZant and Alex Chambers. VanZant is fresh off a decision win over the popular Felice Herrig in April. “12 Gauge” has won three in a row and looks to continue her ascent up the rankings. Chambers has won three of four and is coming off a third-round armbar of Kailin Curran in May,

A strawweight duel between John Lineker and Francisco Rivera was also announced on an earlier date.