Former UFC fighter John Dodson, his wife and their three children were involved in a life-threatening car crash on Friday as they travelled from New Mexico to Texas.
The first word of the accident came from Dodson’s manager Ricky Kottenstette, who quickly set up a gofundme page to offer financial assistance to the fighter and his family as they recover from what he described as a “near-death” ordeal.
“We have started this go fund me to help John Dodson and family. The Dodson’s were headed to Texas on vacation to visit family when they were involved in a near death accident with the whole family inside the vehicle,” Kottenstette wrote. “They were all released from the hospital this morning but will have a rough month of recovery and financial hardship ahead. They have totaled their family vehicle and unfortunately John will no longer be able to fight in his upcoming July 30th bout. We are asking for assistance to help them with their medical bills, financial assistance from being out of work and travel back to New Mexico. Let’s show these guys some ❤️.”
Dodson has since issued his own statement revealing how the accident occurred, while also confirming the good news that he and his family are ok.
“Just letting everyone know we’re all alive and no one is seriously injured,” Dodson stated. “The car we hit was left in the middle of the highway after that person hit an 18 wheel and another car crashed into it as well. He had no Hazzards light, no flares and no other warning to let us know. I hit the car and we rolled. I don’t know how many times but luckily the cables in the median stopped us from rolling onto traffic going the other direction. The guy fled on foot after he saw my vehicle rolled.. I gotta thank infinite for the design of the suv cuz it protected my family and I from dying. We’re just lucky no one died and we can live to see another day and be reminded on how luck we are. Life is short and you don’t know when it’s gonna end so enjoy it while you can.”
Dodson had been set to fight Cody Gibson at XMMA2 on July 30th, but that fight has since been cancelled due to his injuries, and Gibson has since issued a statement in support of his opponent.
“Super bummed that our fight is off but am glad he and his family are ok,” Gibson wrote. “It looks like I have a new opponent for the fight. I’ll donate what I can from the fight and encourage you all to help chip in as well. 🙏”
