He has never looked short of impressive since becoming UFC’s inaugural Flyweight Champion, but he added another important achievement to his resume Saturday: a finish.
For the first time since joining the young Flyweight Division, UFC Champion Demetrious Johnson finished an opponent, bringing an exciting stoppage to a fast-paced main-event.
After outwrestling and outpointing challenger John Moraga throughout the five round affair, Johnson brought an early end to Saturday’s UFC on FOX 8 main event with just 1:17 remaining in the affair. The armbar victory represented Johnson’s first stoppage victory since a 2010 win over Damacio Page.
If fast-paced and action-packed were appropriate descriptions for the main-event, one needs to find their antonyms to describe the co-main-event battle between Rory MacDonald and Jake Ellenberger. Hotly-anticipated due to its stakes, the talent of its competitors and the bad blood between them, the fight ended up earning scathing reviews from the live audience. Neither man demonstrated urgency; MacDonald was content to stand on the outside and jab, while Ellenberger–save for one late takedown–did virtually nothing.
MacDonald ended up squeaking by with a decision.
It was not a terrible night for the welterweight division, however. While the young MacDonald disappointed in his latest FOX appearance, veteran Robbie Lawler continued his career resurgence with a crushing knockout win over Bobby Voelker.
In the night’s opener, Liz Carmouche rebounded from her loss to Ronda Rousey with a dominant second round win over Jessica Andrade.
Full UFC on FOX 8 results:
Yaotzin Meza b. John Albert via submission (RNC) at 2:49 of Round Two
Justin Salas b. Aaron Riley via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Germaine de Randamie b. Julie Kedzie via SD (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Ed Herman b. Trevor Smith via SD (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Daron Cruickshank b. Yves Edwards via SD (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Melvin Guillard b. Mac Danzig via KO (punches) at 2:47 of Round Two
Danny Castillo b. Tim Means via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jorge Masvidal b. Michael Chiesa via submission (D’arce) at 4:59 of Round Two
Liz Carmouche b. Jessica Andrade via TKO (strikes) at 3:57 of Round Two
Robbie Lawler b. Bobby Voelker via KO (kick and punch) at :24 of Round Two
Rory MacDonald b. Jake Ellenberger via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Demetrious Johnson b. John Moraga via submission (armbar) at 3:43 of Round Five
