Yahoo Sports UFC on FOX 16 Results: T.J. Dillashaw TKOs Renan Barao, Retains Bantamweight Title
T.J. Dillashaw showed once again that he's the best 135-pound fighter in the world, defending his UFC bantamweight title with a technical knockout of Renan Barao in the UFC on FOX 16 main event on Saturday in Chicago.
Dillashaw avoided major damage using his excellent footwork in the rematch, and he picked apart Barao for just over three rounds before unloading a barrage of strikes that scored him the TKO at :35 of Round 4.
“It looks good, man,” Dillashaw said, while watching a replay of his finish on the United Center's big screen. “I'm really proud of my performance. I got a little bit more than I wanted, but Barao's a killer.”
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The champ came out confident, leaving his hands low and daring his opponent to come forward. Dillashaw used his patented footwork to come in from odd angles and tag Barao on a number of occasions. Once in a clinch, Barao utilized his knees and beat up his opponent's mid section.
Dillashaw began to pick apart Barao as the latter fighter slowed down in the second round. The jab became a useful tool for the defending champ, landing it a number times and following up with power shots. He continued the same approach in the third and rocked Barao with various strikes in the final moments of the frame.
Dillashaw went into kill mode early in the fourth, unloading a number of combinations as Barao attempted to defend himself against the fence. The beaten fighter ate a number of punches and looked dazed before referee Herb Dean stepped in to put a stop to the onslaught.
With the win in Chicago, Dillashaw improves to 12-2 and awaits his next foe at 135 pounds. He originally won the bantamweight title from Barao at UFC 173 in May 2014, winning the title as a heavy underdog.
Follow Erik Fontanez on Twitter: @Nahmles
