Trending News|July 17, 2015 04:15 EDT
UFC 191 News: Demetrius Johnson vs. John Dodson Set to Headline
The UFC announced Wednesday the headliners for UFC 191 scheduled on Sept. 5 in Las Vegas. UFC flyweight champion Demetrius Johnson will battle John Dodson as the main event of the fight card, which will also include light heavyweight contender Anthony "Rumble" Johnson vs. Jan Blachowicz, and women's MMA rising star Paige VanZant vs. Alex Chambers.
The main event will be a rematch between Johnson and Dodson, who first fought in the main event of UFC on Fox 6 back in January of 2013. In that fight, the champion's first title defense, Dodson knocked down Johnson twice with huge left punches. Johnson gathered himself, and eventually took control of the fight, capping it off with a finish in the latter rounds.
Since that loss, Dodson has won his last three fights, while the champion has defended his title five more times. The lightning quick fighter's rematch has looked inevitable in recent months.
Originally, the UFC had pegged the title fight between newly minted light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and Alex Gustafsson for UFC 191, but the champion had to pull out of it with knee issue.
Meanwhile, Anthony Johnson will be fighting for the firs time since getting dominated by Cormier in their title fight. He faces Blachowicz, who is also coming off a loss"”a unanimous decision to Jimi Manuwa back in April.
Fan favorite VanZant takes her third trip to the Octagon following impressive victories over Felice Herrig and Kailin Curran in her first two UFC fights. Her opponent is coming off a UFC debut loss, but is 5-2 in her MMA career, and has also defeated Curran.
The other fight announced for UFC 191 happens in the 135 lb. division, as John Lineker faces Francisco Rivera.
UFC 191 is slated for Saturday, Sept. 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.