“The Magician” is up to his old tricks.
John Dodson wrapped up his preliminary bantamweight bout against Nathaniel Wood at UFC Rio Rancho in dramatic fashion on Saturday, stopping Wood with a flurry of strikes early in the third round.
The outcome was in question heading into the third as Dodson’s typically elusive style gave Wood problems, while Wood was able to score with consistent pressure as he tried to pin Dodson down. Rather than risk extending the first losing streak of his career, the 35-year-old Dodson pounced in the final round, landing a sharp counter left hook before finishing with strikes on the ground.