Former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title challenger John Dodson has pulled out of his July 30 bout at XMMA 2. After he and his family were involved in a serious car accident, his manager Ricky Kottenstette said Saturday.
Kottenstette said Dodson–who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico–and his family were beginning their vacation when the accident occurred on Friday night.
John Dodson and his family involved in almost fatal automobile accident
“The Dodsons were headed to Texas on vacation to visit family when they were involved in a near-death accident with the whole family inside the vehicle,” Kottenstette said on a GoFundMe page set up to help the Dodsons. “They were all released from the hospital this morning but will have a rough month of recovery and financial hardship ahead.”
The GoFundMe page displays a picture of a mangled car on its side.
Soon after the news made headlines, Dodson, 36, took to his Instagram to release a statement on behalf of him and his family, as well as post several pictures of the accident.
“Just letting everyone know we’re all alive and no one is seriously injured. The car we hit was left in the middle of the highway after that person hit an 18 wheel and another car crashed into it as well. He had no Hazzards light, no flares and no other warning to let us know. I hit the car and we rolled. I don’t know how many times but luckily the cables in the median stopped us from rolling onto traffic going the other direction,” Dodson said. “The guy fled on foot after he saw my vehicle rolled. I gotta thank infinite for the design of the suv cuz it protected my family and I from dying. We’re just lucky no one died and we can live to see another day and be reminded on how luck we are. Life is short and you don’t know when it’s gonna end so enjoy it while you can.”
Dodson was set to return to action following his September 2020 release from the UFC
“The Magician’s” debut for XMMA against Cody Gibson was also set to be his return to action after his release from his longtime fighting home last September. The Ultimate Fighter season 14 winner won 10 of his 17 Octagon appearances and earned victories over eventual bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, Tim Elliott, Jussier Formiga, and Pedro Munhoz during a strong run at both flyweight and bantamweight.
His most notable moments came in twice trying to relinquish Demetrious Johnson of the UFC flyweight title–during his historic run as champion–and headlining three separate events during his stint in the promotion. However, losing four of his last seven, and becoming a far less explosive talent following a 2014 ACL surgery, eventually led to the end of his run with the organization.
–Field Level Media
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