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Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw was too good on this occasion for Raphael Assuncao. AP Photo/Gregory Payan
TV prelims

Dillashaw gains revenge to set up bantamweight title rematch with Cruz

There were also wins on the TV prelims for Julianna Pena, Kelvin Gastelum and Sage Northcutt.

TJ DILLASHAW AVENGED one of his previous losses tonight at UFC 200, and his reward looks set to be another opportunity for redemption.

Dillashaw (13-3), who lost his UFC bantamweight title to Dominick Cruz back in January, scored a unanimous-decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) win against Raphael Assuncao (23-5) in what was billed as a number one contender contest in the 135lbs division on tonight’s TV portion of the prelims at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The judges were divided when Assuncao overcame Dillashaw in October 2013, but there was no uncertainty this time as the American was superior in all three rounds to return to winning ways at the expense of the Brazilian, who was returning from an injury lay-off that kept him out of the octagon for 21 months.

Dillashaw put his fluid movement and crisp striking to good use as he stayed a step ahead of Assuncao from the outset, and the former Team Alpha Male representative scored a takedown late on to cap an accomplished, if not spectacular, display.

After the Fight Pass portion of the UFC 200 prelims saw first-round finishes in each of the three bouts, the pace slowed when the action moved to BT Sport 2 for Irish viewers, with all four TV prelims requiring the judges to determine a winner.

UFC - Ultimate Fighting Championship / YouTube

Johny Hendricks (17-5) looked a shadow of the man who was UFC welterweight champion just over 18 months ago as he delivered an underwhelming display against Kelvin Gastelum (12-2), who picked up a career-best win via unanimous decision on scores of 29-28, 30-27, 30-27.

Julianna Pena (8-2) moved into the championship picture in the women’s bantamweight division, recovering after losing the first round to former title challenger Cat Zingano (9-2) to pick up her fourth consecutive win (unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Earlier, divisive 20-year-old lightweight Sage Nothcutt (8-1) survived some tricky situations to bounce back from his January loss to Bryan Barbarena. Northcutt showed flashes of promise, but also inexperience, as he picked up a win against Enrique Marin (8-4) on scores of 29-28 across the board, although Marin may have had cause for complaint with the decision following a closely-contested bout.

UFC - Ultimate Fighting Championship / YouTube

UFC 200 TV prelims

  • Julianna Pena def. Cat Zingano via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Kelvin Gastelum def. Johny Hendricks via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • TJ Dillashaw def. Raphael Assuncao via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Sage Northcutt def. Enrique Marin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

UFC 200 kicks off with 3 first-round finishes including stunning Lauzon win over Sanchez

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