One of UFC's most anticipated rematches goes down Saturday when Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson step into the Octagon to headline UFC 191.
Intriguing matchups litter the card, but none matches the hype of Johnson vs. Dodson 2, what some have waited almost two years for after an epic first showdown. Dodson came somewhat out of left field in 2013 and gave the reigning flyweight champion the most memorable defense of his run thus far.
Things come to a head again Saturday.
Here's the card, how Las Vegas feels about each matchup and predictions:
The main card is especially interesting. Paige VanZant stands as one of the most intriguing names in the women's division. Anthony Johnson remains on the redemption tour after winding up on the wrong side of a Jon Jones-vacated title belt scrap against Daniel Cormier.
Then there's veteran Frank Mir, who continues his surprising extended stay, the four-loss streak ending last February against Antonio Silva. It's a two-fight winning streak now, too, thanks to a knockout win against Todd Duffee in July.
The 36-year-old superstar took to Twitter to help hype his fight against Andrei Arlovski:
Call it a trap fight for Mir, though, and one of the most interesting bouts in months considering The Pit Bull remains undefeated in UFC with three wins, the last a TKO against Travis Browne at UFC 187.
Still, nothing compares to the hype of the headline act.
Saturday is title defense No. 7 for Mighty Mouse, and it's been a heck of a run thus far, even if Dodson gave him the best run for his money. Most wins since the epic matchup have come via submission, with a decision (Ali Bagautinov) and knockout (Joseph Benavidez) sprinkled in for good measure.
As UFC captured, the challenger doesn't sound like he wants to let this one go to the scorecards like their first bout did and undoubtedly like Johnson might prefer:
It also sounds like Dodson already has a blueprint sketched about what comes next, per Fox Sports:
Dodson seems to be a popular pick in this title bout, if not because many would like a breath of fresh air in the division, but because he's a sly underdog pick while still making his way back from an ACL injury.
Fellow UFC fighter Derek Brunson was one of many to take to social media to support the challenger:
It's all white noise to the champ. Johnson hit the mat in unexpected fashion the first time around, but it doesn't sound like he will alter his approach at all Saturday.
He spoke with Elias Cepeda of Fox Sports on the matter: "Why avoid kicking if he barely nicked me? Everyone may think they land but they don't really land. It's just the way I like to go about doing things. If you can punch me, good for you. I'm coming right back at you, anyway."
For Johnson, another chance to take down Dodson means a chance at improvement and history, as Fox Sports and UFC revealed:
Twitter is alight with buzz concerning this matchup for good reason.
With Las Vegas the backdrop, a necessary rematch and two guys who love to chat with the media and seem to share a general dislike, social media was bound to explode. No doubt it will be even livelier once the two touch gloves and get down to business Saturday.
No matter who wins, the fans do. This is a matchup two years in the making, and it will redefine the flyweight division by night's end.
Odds via Odds Shark as of September 3. Stats and info via UFC.com, unless otherwise specified.
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