Dillashaw stops Barao again in UFC title rematch

MANILA, Philippines – TJ Dillashaw took care of Renan Barao once again in their rematch at UFC on FOX 16 on Sunday, July 26 (July 25 in US)  at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois to remain as the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s bantamweight kingpin.

Fourteen months after recording one of the biggest upsets in UFC title fight history, the 29-year-old Dillashaw attested that his first win over Barao was no fluke by scoring a fourth-round stoppage of the Brazilian.

Dillashaw showed him no mercy, darting in and out just as he did in their first meeting, switching stances and battering Barao’s face from all angles as the challenger’s movements more labored as the bout progressed.

However, Barao attempted to wrestle more than he did in the initial encounter as he delivered several good knees to Dillashaw’s body from the clinch and then dropped levels for a takedown.

In the third frame, Dillashaw already had Barao in trouble and stepped on the gas pedal, leaving Barao to stumble back to his corner when the horn finally sounded.

Sensing that the end was near, Dillashaw stunned Barao with a solid left hook early in the fourth round and uncorked a torrent of lefts and rights that gave referee Herb Dean no choice but to step in at the 35-second mark to save the Nova Uniao representative from further punishment.

“I’m really proud of my performance. I got a little bit more than I wanted, but Barao’s a killer,” Dillashaw said in his post-fight interview.

With the impressive victory over Barao, Dillashaw improves his record to 12-2 and successfully defended his bantamweight belt for the second time since dethroning Barao in May 2014.

On the other hand, Barao downgrades his standing to 33-3 with one no contest.

Miesha Tate decisions Jessica Eye to become No. 1 contender

In a match that would determine the next No. 1 contender in the UFC’s women’s bantamweight division, Miesha Tate (17-5) earned her fourth-consecutive victory when she topped Jessica Eye (11-3) via unanimous decision in UFC on FOX 16’s co-headliner.

Tate, who once reigned as the Strikeforce 135-pound queen, swept the scorecards with 30-27 marks from all three judges.

Eye started strong against Tate as she connected with jabs standing elbows and multi-punch bursts in the pocket, but the latter responded an overhand right on the jaw and sent her opponent crashing to the canvas.

Tate landed another overhand right in the second round, which gave her the opening to convert a takedown and immediately sustained top control before she closed out the period with a mounted guillotine choke.

The 28-year-old “Cupcake” drove her female counterpart through a double-leg takedown in the third frame, putting Eye back on the mat.

Eye was able to lock up Tate’s arms, preventing her from fastening a rear-naked choke and resulting in a rare situation where a fight was stood up by the referee when a fighter had back control.

With the dominant triumph over Eye, Tate may get her third crack at UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.

“Honestly, I’m mad I didn’t finish her, but it’s the best I’ve ever felt going three rounds. I did a new strength training regimen, and I felt so strong and I was in such good shape for the fight. I was able to recover in between rounds and I felt awesome,” she said after the fight. – Rappler.com