UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson makes his first ever title defense against current number one contender and The Ultimate Fighter season 14 winner John Dodson on Saturday, Jan. 26 when the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to United Center in Chicago, Ill.
Unbeaten in his last three performances, Johnson defeated Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 in September to earn the inaugural UFC flyweight championship, while Dodson earned his shot at the title following a TKO victory over Jussier Formiga in October.
In the night’s co-main event, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson takes on the heavy-handed Glover Teixeira, while final WEC lightweight champion and Milwaukee’s own Anthony Pettis meets the always exciting Donald Cerrone in an explosive matchup.
In addition, UFC on FOX: JOHNSON vs. DODSON also features three prominent Chicago-based UFC stars and an exciting lightweight contest between surging contenders:
· Chicago native and Elmhurst College grad Ricardo Lamas vs. Erik Koch in a featherweight fight that could earn the winner a title shot.
· Chicago’s Clay Guida making his featherweight debut against Japanese star Hatsu Hioki.
· Chicago police officer Mike Russow vs. Shawn Jordan in a hard-hitting heavyweight bout.
· T.J. Grant vs. Matt Wiman in a fight between surging lightweights.
All of the main card action airs live on FOX at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
“Chicago is a great fight town and we’re excited to come back to the United Center on Jan. 26,” UFC President Dana White said. “This will be our first big event on FOX for 2013 and we’ve lined up an incredible card, including the flyweight title fight. I can’t wait to get back to Chicago for this event!”
Tickets for UFC on FOX: JOHNSON vs. DODSON will be available Friday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. CT and are priced at $250, $150, $100, $75, $50 and $40. Tickets will be available at the United Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.
UFC Fight Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Nov. 29, starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
