By The Numbers: John Dodson

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John Dodson has played an integral role in two Ultimate Fighting Championship divisions since he won Season 14 of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series. Now 9-4 in the UFC, his only losses -- all by decision -- have resulted from encounters with Demetrious Johnson (twice), Marlon Moraes and John Lineker, and he remains the only man to stop current bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw.

Dodson will meet Jimmie Rivera in a pivotal bantamweight confrontation at UFC 228 on Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, where he can move one step closer to title contention at 135 pounds.

As Dodson approaches his showdown with Rivera, here are some of the numbers that have come to define him:

2: State wrestling championships in high school. Dodson was an accomplished wrestler at Moriarty High School in New Mexico, where he also won four district titles. In addition, he competed in football and track.

16: Years of mixed martial arts training. Dodson started in 2002 after being recruited by Chris Luttrell and Greg Jackson, both of whom recognized his potential.

1: Round fought in his pro debut at a Desert Extreme event on Sept. 3, 2004. Dodson submitted Zac White with a rear-naked choke a little more than three minutes after the fight began.

2: Fights taken in the Ultimate Warrior Challenge promotion, where he went 1-1. Dodson faced Pat Runez for the UWC flyweight championship in 2009, losing a five-round split decision.

4: Contestants beaten on Season 14 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” In addition to his aforementioned win over Dillashaw, Dodson eliminated Brandon Merkt, John Albert and Johnny Bedford. Fans voted his crushing finish on Bedford the “Knockout of the Season.”

7: Significant strikes landed against Dillashaw, per FightMetric. One of those blows, a massive left hook, buckled Dillashaw and led directly to the finish.

2: “Knockout of the Night” bonuses banked. Johnson was awarded after his victory over Dillashaw and netted another bonus after he thrashed Darrell Montague at UFC 166.

2: Rounds needed to defeat Jussier da Silva at UFC on FX 5 in October 2012. Dodson outstruck the Brazilian by a staggering 33-9 margin and went on to challenge Johnson for the flyweight crown three months later.

2: Failed bids to unseat Johnson. After he trampled da Silva, Dodson faced “Mighty Mouse” in the UFC on Fox 6 main event and wound up on the wrong side of a unanimous verdict. The two men were rewarded for their efforts with “Fight of the Night” honors. Dodson met Johnson again at UFC 191, losing a unanimous decision in their rematch.

76: Significant strikes landed against Pedro Munhoz at UFC 222. Dodson eked out a split decision against the former Resurrection Fighting Alliance titleholder, who answered with 69 significant strikes of his own.