UFC 187's John Dodson: I can knock out anyone at 125, 135 – and Conor McGregor, too

John Dodson

Former UFC flyweight title challenger John Dodson has never been short on confidence. If you had any doubts, he said he’s ready to knock out anybody within three weight classes.

Dodson came up short against flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson (22-2-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) in their first meeting at UFC on FOX 6 in 2014. The bout was one of the best in the history of the 125 pound division, and the result did nothing to dampen Dodson’s feelings that he’s the rightful king of the division.

Dodson (16-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who won “The Ultimate Fighter 14? as a bantamweight, returns Saturday at UFC 187 against Zach Makovsky (19-5 MMA, 3-1 UFC). The event takes place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view, and Dodson vs. Makovsky closes out the FOX Sports 1-televised prelims.

It’s Dodson’s first fight in almost a year. In fact, he only has one fight since October 2013, a TKO win over John Moraga at UFC Fight Night 42.

Despite the decline in activity, Dodson said rust won’t be an issue.

“I’m going to be good to go on fight night,” Dodson told MMAjunkie. “I feel amazing. I feel awesome. There’s nothing in my mind that tells me that I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for most of a year. I’ve been training as hard as I can and making sure I’m improving every step of the way.”

Many fans have been clamoring for a Dodson-Johnson rematch. It’s a fight Dodson thought was ready to happen when Johnson was matched up with Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC 186. After the fight, Johnson said he’s open to the rematch, but he won’t ask for it. He said challengers come to champions, not the other way around.

Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson

“I thought I was going to fight D.J. for this fight,” Dodson said. “I was hopeful. I was ecstatic. I wanted to go ahead and crush Demetrious Johnson. But they had to put someone else in front of me, so D.J. catches a little break right quick. He gets to take a little break and see the destruction that’s waiting for him.”

When the rematch does roll around, Dodson said his chances hinge on not giving the champion too much respect.

“Give him no respect like I did the first time,” Dodson said about keys to the rematch. “The first time I gave him way too much respect. I went out there, went toe-to-toe, and I let him walk away with what was mine. That’s my title. He doesn’t deserve to be the champion right now. I am. I deserve to be king of the flyweight division. Not only that, I should be No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter or even No. 1 pound-for-pound in the world.”

Getting past Makovsky is the immediate concern for Dodson, but he said a strong gameplan combined with his skillset will be enough to get him the victory.

What’s after that? The sky seems to be the limit in Dodson’s mind. In fact, he’s willing to fight two weight classes heavier to quiet outspoken featherweight Conor McGregor (17-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC).

“I think I’m the fastest guy and I think I’m the strongest guy at 125,” Dodson said. “I can knock out anybody at 125 (pounds), 135 – and if Conor McGregor thinks he’s so bad, I’ll take him out too.”

For more on UFC 187, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.