UFC on Fox 16 went down Saturday night live from the United Centre in Chicago, Illinois where T.J. Dillashaw put on yet another performance for the ages in dominating, former champion Renan Barao, in their highly anticipated rematch.
UFC on FOX 16 Dillashaw vs Barao 2 Results
T.J. Dillashaw def. Renan Barao via TKO – strikes (Round 4,0:35)
In the main event of the evening T.J. Dillashaw put on yet another dynamic and impressive performance in picking apart the former champion on the feet, before finishing Barao in the fourth round.
From the opening bell it was clear the first fight was no fluke, as Dillashaw once again demonstrated an advanced level of footwork dancing around Barao, with his hands hanging by his waist side, breaking him down from the outside in similar fashion to their first fight. However, where in the first fight Dillashaw rocked Barao early, this one was a slow methodical beating.
By the end of the second round it was clear that Barao was beginning to gas, and in the third Dillashaw was just too quick for Barao, who fatigued, was unable to get out of the way of the much faster champion’s punches, eventually getting rocked towards the end of the round, saved from the finish only by the bell.
If you were watching the fight, you could tell it was all but over, and sensing the Brazilian was near defeat, Dillashaw turned it up in the fourth, immediately pressuring Barao up against the fence, proceeding to put on a striking display that showcased the speed and pin point accuracy that few in mixed martial arts could rival.
Though Barao had his moments in the fight, overall he had nothing to offer the champion and was outclassed on the feet. Having now twice been dominated by the Dillashaw and factoring in his weight cutting struggles we may have seen the last of Renan Barao at Bantamweight.
Having now concretely answered the Barao question, and legitimately defended his title (Soto doesn’t really count does it?) Dillashaw, in doing so, has established himself as one of the most technically gifted fighters in the UFC, and a fight with former champion Dominic Cruz would make sense for his next bout.
Miesha Tate def. Jessica Eye via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
After rocking Eye midway through the first round with a straight left, Tate followed it up with a big right hook that sent Eye to the canvas, following her to the ground and though unable to get the finish, ended the round in top control.
Tate would come out the aggressor in the second round stalking an obviously still shaken Eye, who again would get rocked early on in the round, with the former title challenger easily moving in to half-guard where she would unleash a ground and pound assault before locking in a submission attempt with only seconds left in the round.
Eye, looking worse for wear, would have nothing left for Tate in round 3, succumbing to an early takedown, which Tate disguised beautifully with crisp striking, spending the remainder of the round defending Tate’s ground and pound, on her way to losing a unanimous decision.
Edson Barboza def. Paul Felder via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
A great fight for the fans, Edson Barboza and Paul Felder pretty much threw the idea of an MMA fight out the window, choosing instead to engage in a three round Muay Thai fight that didn’t leave the feet once.
Both men, exciting strikers, came out looking for the finish with Felder swinging for the fences with every punch and Barboza showcasing probably the fastest kicks in the UFC, if not all of mixed martial arts, in trying to land a signature head kick knockout.
Though the knockout wouldn’t mature for either fighter, fans were treated to three rounds that showcased a plethora of different striking techniques by either combatant that had everyone in attendance on their feet at the end of the fight.
Looking for the highlight reel finish, In the end Felder would tend to rely a bit too much on his spinning back fist, which Barboza started countering perfectly each time with vicious kicks to the legs and body of cruising to a unanimous decision victory.
Joe Lauzon def. Takanori Gomi via TKO – strikes (Round 1, 2:37)
In a fight that featured what might have been the first ever fighter calling off his own fight, veteran and 13 time performance of the night record holder, Joe Lauzon took on Japanese mma legend Takanori Gomi.
The fight wouldn’t last long, as Gomi would come out relying on his signature bulldozer punches in which he throws every punch with the intention of knocking the other guy out, with Lauzon easily countering the Japanese legend, before landing a left hook upon a failed takedown attempt by Gomi that sent the former pride star to the mat. Lauzon would easily take Gomi’s back, flattening him out, and firing off punches from the top on a defenseless Gomi who looked to be out.
Things would then get a bit weird.
Seeing that Gomi was almost out cold and not defending himself, Lauzon, not referee Herb Dean, decided enough was enough, stopped hitting Gomi, got off him and walked away. Dean had yet to call the fight off, leaving everyone watching a bit confused, but as Gomi came to and tried to get back to his feet, Dean seeing he was unable to continue finally waved it off. It was a strange moment, but Kudos to Lauzon, who said after the fight he had so much respect for Gomi that he didn’t feel he needed to hit the defenseless Pride legend anymore.
- Tom Lawlor def. Gian Villante via knockout -punches (Round 2, 0:27)
- Jim Miller def. Danny Castillo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Ben Saunders def. Kenny Robertson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Bryan Caraway def. Eddie Wineland via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- James Krause def. Daron Cruickshank via submission – rear-naked choke (Round 1, 1:27)
- Andrew Holbrook def. Ramsey Nijem via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Elizabeth Phillips def. Jessamyn Duke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Zak Cummings def. Dominique Steele via TKO – strikes (Round 1, 0:43)
