Demetrious Johnson retained the UFC flyweight title with a fifth round armbar submission victory as he defeated John Moraga in the main event of UFC on FOX 8.
The action opened with the fighters pushing a high pace with them exchanging strikes. Johnson would close the distance and they grappled against the fence.
He would end up taking the fight to the ground with two minutes left in the round. Johnson looked for a submission but Moraga was able to escape. As Moraga was attempting to get back to his feet, Johnson grabbed his neck and held onto his neck until the round ended.
In the second round, Johnson was able to take the fight to the ground with a double leg takedown in the first 30 seconds of the round. He would be able to pass into side control and briefly has the mounted crucifix. Moraga was able to secure a submission from his back but Johnson was able to escape.
Johnson would be back in side control and landed multiple ground strikes. Morgaga would eventually get back to his feet and separate from Johnson. Once again, Johnson would use a double leg takedown to get the fight to the ground. The fight would remain on the ground until the end of the round with Johnson in complete control.
The third round would open with the fighters exchanging strikes and Johnson would take the fight to the ground at the 90 second mark of the round. Moraga would be able to get back to his feet and he looked for a takedown against the fence. He would not be able to get the fight to the ground but Johnson was able to.
Johnson went for a kimura submission and appeared close to finishing the fight. However, Moraga was able to get out of the submission and back to his feet. Once back on the feet, he was able to take the fight to the ground. Johnson would get back to his feet and the fight headed to the championship rounds.
Moraga was able to land a couple of kicks at the beginning of the fourth round but he was once again taken down. While on the ground, Johnson continued to look for a kimura submission but Moraga would escape and get back to his feet.
After being taken down for the eight time in the fight, Moraga worked his was way back to his feet and landed left hand that connected and opened up a cut on Johnson. Moraga would not be able to follow up that punch as the round came to an end.
In the final round, Johnson was able to get the fight right back to the ground and passed to side control. Moraga got back to his feet for a second before Johnson took the fight right back to the ground. Moraga was able to get to his feet but Johnson held onto him and took the fight back to the ground.
Johnson began to work on the arm of Moraga on the ground and ended up locking in an armbar submission. Moraga did what he could to escape but it was not enough as Johnson submitted Moraga late in the final round and retains the flyweight title.
Johnson (18-2-1) has now won four fights in a row and this is his first stoppage victory since 2010 which was also a submission.
UFC on FOX 8 Results:
Demetrious Johnson def. John Moraga via submission (armbar) – Round 5, 3:43
Rory MacDonald def. Jake Ellenberger via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Robbie Lawler def. Bobby Voelker via KO (kick) – Round 2, :24
Liz Carmouche def. Jessica Andrade via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 3:57
Jorge Masvidal def. Michael Chiesa via submission (d’arce choke) – Round 2, 4:59
Danny Castillo def. Tim Means via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Melvin Guillard def. Mac Danzig via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:47
Daron Cruickshank def. Yves Edwards via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Ed Herman def. Trevor Smith via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Germaine de Randamie def. Julie Kedzie via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Justin Salas def. Aaron Riley via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Yaotzin Meza def. John Albert via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:49