UFC Close To Booking TJ Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao Rematch For August 30 In Sacramento
Despite the sheer one-sided beatdown that newly crowned UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw put on formerly dominant champion Renan Barao in the main event of May’s UFC 173, Dana White was quoted as saying that he “wants to see that fight again.”
While it may not have been a sentiment echoed by many fans, who may believe there are other challenges available for Dillashaw at 135 pounds, it looks like the rematch is the direction the promotion is deadest on taking.
Ariel Helwani reported on this evening’s UFC Tonight that the UFC is very close to booking Dillashaw vs. Barao II for an August 30 UFC event in Sacramento, close to Dillashaw’s home of Sonora, Calif.:
Helwani: UFC is close to finalizing Dillashaw vs. Barao II in Sacramento, CA on August 30th. Wow!
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) July 3, 2014
Working without his friend and broadcast partner Chael Sonnen, UFC Tonight cohost Kenny Florian was honest in his assessment of the bout, noting that No.3-ranked bantamweight Raphael Assuncao, the last man to defeat Dillashaw in the Octagon, should have gotten the next title shot:
“Listen, two amazing fighters right there, but for me, it’s the wrong one. I think Assuncao should have got that shot, I think it’s a little too early, I would like to see that rematch brew a bit.”
Many will probably be quick to agree with Florian, but the fact remains that Barao will have his desired rematch with Dillashaw, and it will be rather soon. With Jose Aldo injured and out of his UFC 176 main event with Chad Mendes, the immediate future of Team Nova Uniao’s championship picture rests on the shoulder of Barao.
Can he capitalize by defeating a fighter who just gave him one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history?
