TJ Dillashaw has returned to sit atop the UFC’s bantamweight throne.
The heated rivalry between former training partners TJ Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt completely delivered on the hype in UFC 217’s co-main event.
Both fighters came out swinging with bad intentions from the get-go as a fire-fight ensued in the opening round. Dillashaw showcased his patented feints and movement in the early exchanges while Garbrandt found home with his counter-punching. Towards the tail end of the round, the momentum shifted in favour of the defending champion and his work paid off as he dropped Dillashaw with a counter-right before flipping him off as he made his way back to the corner.
The action picked up right where it left off in the second round as Dillashaw had an immaculate recovery from being rocked. After having a takedown attempt shrugged off, Dillashaw wobbled ‘No Love’ with a thunderous head kick. With the smell of blood filling his nostrils, Dillashaw moved and scored a knockdown with a huge right hook. He pounced on his downed opponent and kept peppering him with punches until Dan Miragliotta stepped in to award him the TKO victory at 2:41 of the second stanza.
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After reclaiming the title he lost to Dominick Cruz, Dillashaw announced his intention to drop down for a superfight with the flyweight and P4P king. However, he admitted his rivalry with Garbrandt was far from over.
“This isn’t the end of Cody Garbrandt. This is my belt. Demetrious Johnson I’m coming for you!”
That’s two previously undefeated champions dethroned in quick succession on this stacked card, following the shock defeat of Joanna Jędrzejczyk by Rose Namajunas.
