TJ DILLASHAW IS still the UFC bantamweight champion.
Dillashaw looked very impressive as he overcame Renan Barao in tonight’s main event at UFC on FOX 16, which took place in Chicago.
It was the second meeting of the pair after Dillashaw had beaten Barao — the champion at the time — back in May 2014 to end the Brazilian’s nine-year undefeated run.
Many wondered if that victory was a fluke for Dillashaw on an off-day for Barao, but the Team Alpha Male star put those doubts to bed tonight.
Dillashaw dominated Barao for three rounds, using his superior striking, footwork and conditioning to pick his opponent apart.
With Barao looking visibly exhausted, the bell saved the Nova Uniao fighter at the end of the third frame. However, just 35 seconds into the fourth it was all over.
Dillashaw forced Barao back against the fence and unloaded with a hectic flurry of accurate and powerful punches.
Barao managed to stay on his feet but he was taking far too much punishment and referee Herb Dean quite rightfully brought the bout to a halt.
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Earlier on the main card, Miesha Tate set up a third meeting with women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey — should Rousey overcome Bethe Correia next weekend — as she defeated Jessica Eye via unanimous decision.
Edson Barboza and Paul Felder served up a treat for the fans, at the end of which Barboza was given the nod by the judges, while Joe Lauzon returned to winning ways by making short work of Japanese veteran Takanori Gomi.
UFC on FOX 16 results
Main card
- TJ Dillashaw def. Renan Barao via TKO after 0:35 of round four
- Miesha Tate def. Jessica Eye via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Edson Barboza def. Paul Felder via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Joe Lauzon def. Takanori Gomi via TKO after 2:37 of round one
Prelims
- Tom Lawlor def. Gian Villante via KO after 0:27 of round two
- Jim Miller def. Danny Castillo via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
- Ben Saunders def. Kenny Robertson via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
- Bryan Caraway def. Eddie Wineland via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- James Krause def. Daron Cruickshank via submission (rear-naked choke) after 1:27 of round one
- Andrew Holbrook def. Ramsey Nijem via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
- Elizabeth Phillips def. Jessamyn Duke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Zak Cummings def. Dominique Steele via TKO after 0:43 of round one
