Lineker and Dodson Put on One of Year's Best at Fight NIght 96
Lineker and Dodson Put on One of Year's Best at Fight NIght 96
John Lineker and John Dodson brought the fireworks to save the show Saturday night in Portland
There are few things more appealing in the fight game than power, and John Lineker and John Dodson have plenty to offer.
After their respective paths carried them through different divisions, both men decided to make their longterm home the UFC bantamweight division. Lineker came to 135-pounds looking to overcome his issue with the scale and finally get the chance to fight for championship gold. Dodson also has dreams of being a divisional titleholder and this was his motivation for returning to bantamweight.
Outside of the interest surrounding their place as contenders and the stakes surrounding the matchup, the lion's share of buzz surrounding the fight was the pop both men carry in their hands. Lineker and Dodson have been crumpling opposition for years, and on Saturday night in Portland they finally collided.
And it was everything we hoped it would be.
Lineker pressed forward relentlessly and pegged Dodson with looping shots to the head and body. The Albuquerque native was on the defensive throughout the entire 25-minute tilt, but his counter striking game allowed him to hit Lineker early and often. It was a back-and-forth affair every minute of every round until the final bell sounded and both men embraced.
When the judges' scorecards were read it was Lineker who emerged victorious via split decision, and the Brazilian bomber will move one step closer to getting a chance to compete for the bantamweight title.
Here are the results from Fight Night 96
John Lineker def. John Dodson via split decision
Charles Oliveira def. Will Brooks via TKO (strikes) Rd 3
Zak Ottow def. Josh Burkman via split decision
Brandon Moreno def. Louis Smolka via submission (guillotine) Rd 1
Luis Henrique da Silva def. Joachim Christensen via submission (armbar) Rd 2
Andre Fili def. Hacran Dias via unanimous decision
Shamil Abdurakhimov def Walt Harris via split decision
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def Keita Nakamura via unanimous decision
Nate Marquardt def. Tamdan McCrory via KO (kick) Rd 2
Ion Cutelaba def. Jonathan Wilson via unanimous decision
Curtis Blaydes def. Cody East via TKO (elbows) Rd 2
Ketlen Vieira def. Kelly Faszholz via split decision
After their respective paths carried them through different divisions, both men decided to make their longterm home the UFC bantamweight division. Lineker came to 135-pounds looking to overcome his issue with the scale and finally get the chance to fight for championship gold. Dodson also has dreams of being a divisional titleholder and this was his motivation for returning to bantamweight.
Outside of the interest surrounding their place as contenders and the stakes surrounding the matchup, the lion's share of buzz surrounding the fight was the pop both men carry in their hands. Lineker and Dodson have been crumpling opposition for years, and on Saturday night in Portland they finally collided.
And it was everything we hoped it would be.
Lineker pressed forward relentlessly and pegged Dodson with looping shots to the head and body. The Albuquerque native was on the defensive throughout the entire 25-minute tilt, but his counter striking game allowed him to hit Lineker early and often. It was a back-and-forth affair every minute of every round until the final bell sounded and both men embraced.
When the judges' scorecards were read it was Lineker who emerged victorious via split decision, and the Brazilian bomber will move one step closer to getting a chance to compete for the bantamweight title.
Here are the results from Fight Night 96
John Lineker def. John Dodson via split decision
Charles Oliveira def. Will Brooks via TKO (strikes) Rd 3
Zak Ottow def. Josh Burkman via split decision
Brandon Moreno def. Louis Smolka via submission (guillotine) Rd 1
Luis Henrique da Silva def. Joachim Christensen via submission (armbar) Rd 2
Andre Fili def. Hacran Dias via unanimous decision
Shamil Abdurakhimov def Walt Harris via split decision
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def Keita Nakamura via unanimous decision
Nate Marquardt def. Tamdan McCrory via KO (kick) Rd 2
Ion Cutelaba def. Jonathan Wilson via unanimous decision
Curtis Blaydes def. Cody East via TKO (elbows) Rd 2
Ketlen Vieira def. Kelly Faszholz via split decision