Once again, flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson proved he is steps ahead of the competition.

Watch the highlights of how he defeated #1 contender John Dodson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC1qtJe_Sbg

In the co-main event, Andrei Arlovksi topped Frank Mir in a heavyweight bout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCHDScQcmd8

Also on the main card, Paige VanZant beat Alex Chambers in the strawweight division.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLgUZR4DE5E

Another great bout was between Anthony Johnson and Jimi Manuwa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD8CokDgzdM

Demetrious Johnson celebrates defeating John Dodson during thier Flyweight Championship Bout part of UFC on FOX at United Center on January 26, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC Via Getty Images)

The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale headliner is as small as it gets.

UFC 125-pound champion Demetrious Johnson will defend his title against John Moraga at the April 13 event in Las Vegas, UFC officials confirmed Monday.

The Las Vegas Review Journal reported that Johnson will face Moraga in the main event, and that a venue for the card is still in the works.

Johnson (17-2) is fresh off a unanimous decision win at UFC on FOX 6 last month over John Dodson, successfully defending his flyweight title in the affair. Johnson earned the title with a win over Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 to become the company’s first 125-pound champ, and he’s not been defeated since dropping to the division from bantamweight in early 2012.

Moraga (13-1) was last seen finishing Chris Cariaso by guillotine choke at UFC 155 last December. The fight was the first bout on the undercard, and Moraga takes a huge leap by headlining a card for a divisional title.

The TUF 17 Finale also features the UFC’s second women’s MMA fight between former Strikeforce bantamweight champ Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano, as well as a heavyweight tilt between Travis Browne and Gabriel Gonzaga.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,
visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

A flyweight match-up between Joseph Benavidez and Ian McCall will take place at UFC 156 on Feb. 2, according to various representatives close to McCall.

Alden Halpern of MMA Elite, a sponsor of McCall’s, announced through social media that the fight will be part of the Las Vegas Pay-Per-View.

“BREAKING NEWS!!! Ian McCall will fight Benevidez … on [the Feb. 2] card in Vegas,” Halpern posted on Twitter.

UFC officials have yet to announce the bout as confirmed.

McCall (11-3) last fought in a losing effort to current flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson at UFC on FX 3 in June. The fight was a rematch of their first encounter at UFC on FX 2 in March, which ended in a draw. Prior to the Johnson fights, McCall was considered the top flyweight in the world by several outlets, and a favorite to win the four-man elimination tournament to crown the UFC’s first flyweight champion.

Benavidez (16-3) also participated in the four-man tournament, and last fought in the final against Johnson, dropping a close split decision for the belt. The fighter out of Team Alpha Male was a winner of four consecutive fights before losing to Johnson, and the only other losses of his career are to current bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz.

Halpern added that another fighter close to the sponsor, Cisco Rivera, will also compete on the card.

UFC 156 will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and is headlined by featherweight champion Jose Aldo defending his title against former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.

The reported UFC 156 fights to date are as follows:

• Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgard
• Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva
• Rashad Evans vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
• Jon Fitch vs Demian Maia
• Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar
• Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian McCall
• Erick Silva vs. Jay Hieron
• Cisco Rivera vs. TBA

For more UFC and MMA coverage,

visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section.

Vitor Belfort in Rio de Janeiro / UFC publicity photo

“These days we see blue and purple belts who think Jiu-Jitsu’s all about grabbing the sleeve and trying those little sweeps… The sport is getting worse with that kind of game. But no one can control that.”

Kron Gracie

“This business of booing to me has to do with alcohol in the stands. In Japan, for example, nobody’s there drinking during the fight. They’re sitting there admiring the fight and the athletes who sacrifice their bodies to entertain them. Not the American fans—they’re there drunk, aggressive. We can’t please everybody”

Demetrious Johnson, after turning flyweight champion while being booed at UFC 152

“Vitor gave me a hard time and made me rethink how I train. I realized there’s room for improvement. I need to be comfortable in the octagon. I train a lot of wrestling and striking, but I need to embrace Jiu-Jitsu more. It’s a question of practicing what I preach: to be a true MMA artist you have to train in all the martial arts”

Jon Jones, after his arm nearly got taken home by Vitor Belfort

“I messed up when I heard the popping (elbow) and lost the hold for a second. After that Jones escaped. Props to Jones and bummer for me”

Vitor Belfort

“There are a lot of people who I want to face, but the fight I really want to do is that one with Belfort. I’m trying to move up to light heavyweight. We could do the fight in that division”

Wanderlei Silva, showing he has recovered from the loss of his father

Though the specific dates have yet to be confirmed, the plan is to take the show to every continent in 2012. Expansion is imminent and Brazil looks set to host four events. The big news is the broadcasts on Fox TV network in the USA, the new flyweight division looks to be a go, and a fight will feature every week on reality show TUF.

As an appetizer for so many bold plans, check out the teaser for UFC 137.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTd4kEyBZK4

Olivieri submits Bruno Carvalho. Photo: Felipe Olivieri

Once again event promoter and head of team Nova União André Pederneiras did a swell job of matchmaking and kept up the Shooto Brazil tradition of excitement. All the bouts on the card that played out at Rio de Janeiro’s Bennett College were packed with excitement, with the two main events won by Felipe Olivieri and Jussier Formiga standing out.

Carvalho dished it out in the stand up. Photo: Carlos Ozorio

Felipe Olivieri faced off against muay thai monster Bruno Carvalho and drove the crowd wild. Although both are savvy strikers, Olivieri looked to take the fight to the floor. With fine-tuned fists, Bruno landed two knockdowns and looked about to settle the match, but he landed his strikes to the back of his opponent’s head and was punished. The fight returned to the feet and it was Felipe’s chance to rally back. Bruno landed on bottom and Olivieri slid to back mount, from where he sunk the fight-ending rear-naked choke 4:19 min into the fight.

Formiga celebrates with team Nova Uniao. Photo: Carlos Ozorio

In the evening’s main even worth the organization’s flyweight belt, Jussier Formiga successfully defended his title against the up-and-coming Alexandre Pantoja. Throughout three rounds the Kimura/Nova União athlete landed good takedowns and kept the pressure on from top position, winning a unanimous decision.

Hernani Perpetuo showed off his slick striking once again and knocked out Alexander Andreotte in the first round, after a barrage of strikes. Spain’s Miguel Duran showed his usual mean streak and pounded and kneed Rodrigo Savedra for the knockout 3:18 min into the opening round.

Perpetua's knockdown. Photo: Carlos Ozorio

Check back with GRACIEMAG.com for a complete photo gallery.

Check out the complete results:

Shooto 16
Bennett College, Rio de Janeiro
June 12, 2010

Jussier Formiga defeated Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision

Felipe Olivieri submitted Bruno Carvalho via choke at 4:19 min of R1

Hernani Pérpetuo defeated Alexander Andreotte via KO in R1

Miguel Duran defeated Rodrigo Savedra via TKO at 3:18 min of R1

Rony Marques defeated Wanderlan Vila Cruzeiro via TKO in R1

Jamil Silveira defeated William Parrudinho via TKO at 0.28 min of R2

Leonardo Porto submitted Fábio Larvinha via choke at 5min of R1

Brazilian Profissional muay thai title fight

Sheymon Moraes (Boxe Thai/ Minotauro Team) defeated Renan Luiz Cruz (Beto Padilha) via unanimous decision