Fill-in to beating the Bantamweight champ
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UFC 173
UFC 173
Nearly two months before UFC 173, Raphael Assunção had to decline the bantamweight title fight against the champion Renan Barão due to a rib injury. TJ Dillashaw filled in, but everyone considered him a long shot to win. Barão hadn't lost in over nine years and 33 fights, while Dillashaw only started fighting professionally four years ago.
Once the fight got underway, Dillashaw surprised everyone and dominated Barão; TJ won in the final round via TKO.
Quotes
T.J., this is one of the finest performances I have ever seen. The best performance — I’ll say it right now — this is the most spectacular performance I have ever seen against a guy in Barao who is easily one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.
Joe Rogan
I like being the underdog and think that is great because it frees me up to fight my fight and go in there with a clear head. I can go in there loose and fight like I have no expectations on me. I think that is going to bring out my best performance.
TJ Dillashaw
References
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UFC Quick Quote: Joe Rogan tells TJ Dillashaw 'that was the greatest performance I have ever seen!'
Not anymore. Dillashaw -- who wasn't even the first choice to fight Barao (it was Raphael Assuncao) -- scored one of the biggest upsets in UFC championship history.
MMA Mania
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Barao vs. Dillashaw Results: Winner, Scorecard and Analysis
Going up against the man whom many believed to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, the challenger put forth an unbelievable performance. He nearly stopped the now-former champ in the first round, continued to dominate in clinical fashion over the next three rounds and finally stopped Barao with a barrage of punches in the fifth round.
Bleacher Report
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UFC 173: Barao vs. Dillashaw Round-by-Round Recap and Analysis
Dillashaw hurts Barao with a huge combination, and he follows up! Big ground and pound! We have a new UFC champion! What a performance! Complete domination over Barao!
Bleacher Report
