Top UFC flyweight contender John Dodson will be on the shelf until 2015 after undergoing ACL surgery.
“I’m looking at six to eight months of me actually being out before I can start going back in the gym and going hard and stuff. About a year (before a fight),” Dodson told FOX Sports‘ Damon Martin, who broke the story.
Dodson (16-6) is coming off a TKO win over John Moraga in June, which would have likely earned him a rematch against champion Demetrious Johnson. Dodson lost a unanimous decision to “Mighty Mouse” last January, but nearly dethroned the champ after dropping him several times early in the fight.
Dodson and Johnson are widely regarded as the two fastest fighters in all of MMA and a rematch between them would be the most marketable fight to make right now in the 125-pound division.
“I was messing with Demetrious Johnson and I really, really, really want to beat this dude up,” Dodson said. “I want that title. I was gearing for it and getting ready for this fight.”
There are two high profile flyweight bouts coming up on the UFC schedule that could determine Johnson’s next challenger. Zach Makovsky meets Jussier Formiga on Aug. 16 with the winner potentially emerging as the top contender. Also, should Brad Pickett beat Ian McCall on July 19 in Dublin he could warrant a title shot considering the Englishman beat Johnson at WEC 48 in 2010.
Dodson, a TUF 14 winner, holds victories over top-10 flyweights Darrell Montague, Jussier Formiga, Tim Elliott and current bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw.
