John Dodson was shocked to learn that the UFC was releasing him from his contract just after signing a new deal with the promotion.
John Dodson Shocked By Sudden UFC Release
Dodson was released from his UFC deal back in 2020 shortly after a decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 252.
It marked Dodson’s third loss in his last four appearances inside the Octagon. Soon after, the former UFC flyweight title challenger was released from the UFC.
Speaking to MMA Junkie recently, Dodson admitted that he was shocked by the move, especially since the fight was the first into his new deal with the UFC that he had just signed.
“We just renewed,” Dodson said. “I just renewed my contract and they were like, ‘Eh, you know what? You’re out.’ I was like, ‘What the hell? First fight in and I’m done? Wow. Thanks a lot, you guys.’
“I just figured I wasn’t the fit anymore. COVID happened. Of course, that’s a big factor in everything else that’s coming through. It’s hard for everyone to train and everything else that’s going on. But if you really think about it, they can get a bunch of younger fighters who want to fight in the UFC who are – probably 10-8 new fighters with the paycheck they were paying me.”
Now, Dodson competes for XMMA where he is 1-1 under their banner. He also just signed with Bare-Knuckle FC, joining a plethora of former UFC names that now compete in bare-knuckle boxing.
The 37-year-old has yet to receive an opponent for his inaugural fight in BKFC.
