With their third event in as many weeks, the UFC is hoping to capitalize on the momentum that was built at UFC 152 and maintained through UFC on Fuel TV 5. This weekend, UFC on FX 5 looks to continue that trend by delivering another solid card. Live from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this event features a number of mid-tier fighters across multiple weight classes. However, there is a bout on the card with true title implications, and it should be looked at as the event’s most important fight.
Jussier da Silva vs. John Dodson is a much needed bout, in that it will determine the next top contender to the newly-crowned flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson. Johnson, who won the title at UFC 152, sits atop a division that doesn’t have any names recognizable to mainstream fight fans, but needs a title challenger immediately. Da Silva and Dodson are two individuals who can fill that void quickly by winning this important bout.
Known as “Formiga,” da Silva is yet another member of the Nova Uniao team that has been running rampant across the lighter divisions of mixed martial arts. Ranked highly within the flyweight division, he is a former Shooto 123-pound South American champion who brings a 14-1 record with him into the Octagon. He had beaten a number of top-ranked flyweights on other continents before bringing his act to the United States. However, in a 2011 bout with Ian McCall, who is the biggest name he’s faced to date, da Silva suffered his only defeat.
Dodson is more familiar to UFC fans, as “The Magician” won the 14th season of the Ultimate Fighter at bantamweight. Since then he’s only competed once, and that was a May victory over Tim Elliott, which was his return to the flyweight division. That back and forth battle at UFC on Fox 3 stole the show and placed him firmly in this title eliminator.
When looking at this match up, there are a few questions that will need to be answered by both fighters if either of them is going to pull out the victory. Da Silva has made name by his being a grappler who has been able to strike effectively to set up his takedowns. From there he has been very adept at submitting his opponents, as 7 of his 14 victories have come from tap out. In his five defeats, Dodson has never been stopped, so it will be interesting to see if da Silva can be the first. Additionally, one wonders whether “Formiga” can secure takedowns against Dodson, who has demonstrated solid wrestling abilities. We’ve seen UFC newcomers in the past struggle against American wrestlers, and da Silva is facing a very difficult individual in Dodson.
Da Silva will also have to keep up with Dodson’s pace and finishing ability while he’s looking for takedowns throughout the bout. If he fades after the opening moments, look for Dodson to pounce on the Brazilian athlete, as he has done in the past.
While this fight has not been officially announced as a title eliminator, there is basically no one else in the weight class that could be built up as a suitable challenger to Demetrious Johnson. Jussier da Silva and John Dodson both have a tough task in front of them, but the rewards will be well worth the battle.
