UFC Results: John Dodson Taps After The Bell, Loses Split Decision Anyway

Fight fans are taking to Norfolk, Virginia for today’s UFC Fight Night 120. Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will go toe-to-toe with Dustin Poirier in tonight’s big main event. In the night’s premier preliminary match, flyweights John Dodson and Marlon Moraes put on a war for the Virginia crowd.

The round opened with a bang, as Moraes and Dodson exchange a series of punches. Moraes came back with a strong leg kick, as Dodson backed out of the exchange. The fighter then landed a spinning body kick on Dodson, but Dodson came back with a stunning punch that dropped his opponent.

Moraes quickly recovered and made his way to his feet. Dodson suffered a low kick later in the round. The fighter resisted vomiting after suffering the strike. After taking a moment, Dodson signaled to the referee that he was capable to continue and the fight once again ensued.

Dodson came back with a vengeance, putting the pressure on Moraes. However, Dodson then suffered an accidental eye poke from his opponent. The referee quickly warned Moraes that he will take a point if another illegal strike is landed. Dodson was seemingly aggravated with the circumstance.

The second round opened with Dodson landing a swift body kick on Moraes, but Moraes retaliated with a hard jab. Moraes began pressuring his opponent, making Dodson fight from his back foot.

Dodson then slammed his opponent to the mat with a takedown, but quickly found himself in a heel hook submission attempt. Making his way out of Moraes’ grasp, Dodson made his way back to his feet.

In the final minute of the round, Moraes stuck his opponent with a powerful kick. The fighter later made a successful takedown, bringing an end to the round.

The final round opened at a slower pace, as each fighter appeared a little gassed. Dodson then poured on the pressure once more, with a series of blows to Moraes’ head.

Moraes landed a strong low kick to Dodson’s leg, but the fighter made him pay by sticking a jab. With two minutes left on the clock, Dodson caught a kick from Moraes and retaliated with a tough right hook.

Moraes made a takedown attempt in the final 30 seconds of the fight, which quickly turned to a guillotine attempt.

Dodson appeared to tap directly after the bell, but it was later decided that Moraes did not get the finish.

UFC Results: Marlon Moraes def. John Dodson via split decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)