Another member of the Dodson family enters the bare-knuckle fray

Chelsea Dodson self-identifies as a wife, a mother of three and a baker of sugar cookies. But there’s this other thing. … Or things. Dodson, a Grants native and an Albuquerque resident, recently signed a multi-fight contract to join her husband, John Dodson, as a bare-knuckle fighter. “They (the BKFC in the person of matchmaker Jewlz Grey, who confirmed the signing on Instagram), just offered me a contract, we went through it, and it was one of those (offers) you don’t want to say no to,” Dodson said on Tuesday in a phone interview. The BKFC offer didn’t come out of nowhere, nor did it come simply because she’s the wife of the reigning BKFC men’s flyweight champion. She hits people (and gets hit) with an open hand, as well. Since October 2024, Dodson has competed on Power Slap, which is exactly what you think it is. Much as one might apply for any job, Dodson filled out a Power Slap application online. “They actually called me and they were like, ‘Do you want to go against Paige VanZant?’ And I was like, ‘Dang!” She has a 1-2-1 Power Slap record — a draw with former UFC star VanZant in her debut, a loss by decision to Italy’s Micol Di Segni, a win by disqualification over judo champion Pauline Macias, when an errant Macias blow broke Dodson’s nose, and a loss by decision to ballerina-turned-Power Slapper Zoey DuBois. Dodson’s not done, she said, with Power Slap: “My (BKFC) contract says I can do both.” So, then. What does Dodson do when she’s not baking, slapping and getting slapped, or preparing for a bare-knuckle career? “I’m a pro wrestler,” she said. As with Power Slap, she applied for the job and was hired. She competes, or, better said, performs, for Duke City Championship Wrestling. Dodson doesn’t know when she’ll make her bare-knuckle debut, but she’ll be training for that day under her husband’s “Nobody’s Villain MMA & Fitness” banner. Slapping is one thing, pro wrestling another, and bare-knuckle fighting is something else — real fighting, not exchanging blows while standing stock-still or performing scripted wrestling routines. No one needs to explain the distinctions to Dodson, having seen her husband in action the past 12 years. “I like fighting,” she said. “I’ve just never fought, if that makes sense.” It does. Chelsea Dodson is actually the third member of the family to enter the BKFC ranks. Eric Dodson, John’s brother, has a 4-2 BKFC record. THE FIGHTING HUSBAND: John Dodson (4-0-1 BKFC, 24-15 MMA) hasn’t fought on a BKFC card since his draw with Dagoberto Aguero at Tingley Coliseum in March 2024. Dodson’s agent, Albuquerque’s Ricky Kottenstette, said on Tuesday he has had several conversations regarding Dodson with BKFC President David Feldman and expects to speak with him again this week. “The plan is for (a fight in) mid-October,” Kottenstette said. “They want to renegotiate his deal, and what I’m going through with them right now is the renegotiation stuff. “We’re trying to get a new deal in place. They obviously want him, but it’s my job to make sure he gets paid.” PICO’S UP: UFC featherweight Aaron Pico (14-5), who trains in Albuquerque at Jackson-Wink, is scheduled to face Englishman Arnold Allen (21-4) on UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Oct. 24. The fight would be Pico’s third in the UFC after leaving Bellator, having lost by first-round knockout to Lerone Murphy but bouncing back with a victory by unanimous decision over Patricio Pitbull. FIGHTWORLD: The results of the FightWorld pro card on Saturday at Revel ABQ, as listed by cagedminds.com: Richard Jennings (5-5) defeated Joshua Montoya (12-11) by unanimous decision, featherweights. Ozzy Chavez (6-4) defeated Juan Rosales (4-3) by unanimous decision, flyweights. Sergio Gutierrez (pro debut) defeated Anthony Jagel (3-2) by second-round TKO, catchweight (120 pounds). Steven Ojeda (1-4) defeated Ray Vaiza (1-3) by first-round KO, featherweights.