John Dodson eyes inagural 125-pound BKFC title fight after first-round finish at Knucklemania 3

Gloved fists or not, former UFC title challenger John Dodson has speed that gives his opponents trouble, and he wants some hardware to prove it.

Competing in bareknuckle for the second time at BKFC Knucklemania 3, which took place at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, N.M., Dodson faced Jarod Grant in a main card bout at 125 pounds. Grant entered the ring with the bareknuckle experience edge, but could not make it out of the first round against Dodson.

In typical fashion, Dodson immediately put his speed to use by darting in and out with lightning-quick punches. Before Grant could return fire, Dodson was already out of danger, looking to measure his next attack.

The pressure, speed and power were too much for Grant to handle.

In the final sequence, Dodson blitzed in with punches, parried a counter by Grant, and sent him face-first into the canvas with a left hand.

Jarod Grant couldn’t take anymore. John Dodson gets the first round TKO.#KnuckleMania3 pic.twitter.com/PHGoQMI6rK

— FITE (@FiteTV) February 18, 2023

John Dodson with a celebratory backflip!#Knucklemania3 pic.twitter.com/h9jKxxIwBH

— FITE (@FiteTV) February 18, 2023

During his post-fight interview, Dodson made his call for an inaugural 125-pound title fight against Reggie Barnett Jr.

“Yo Reggie, I know you already got a fight, but you know what my name is,” Dodson said. “I’m the flyweight champion already, so let’s go! Let’s get it! You want to knuckle up? Knuckle up with me! I’m the toughest mofo in this place. Let’s go!”

Dodson, 38, has finished both of his bareknuckle opponents in the first round. Last August, he finished fellow UFC veteran Ryan Benoit in just 40 seconds. He then returned to MMA action at Rizin 40, where he added another highlight to his reel, finishing Hideo Tokoro in less than two minutes.

During the post-fight press conference, BKFC president David Feldman echoed Dodson’s sentiment, and stated he will likely be competing for the inaugural 125-pound title in his next outing.