UFC on FOX 16: Dillashaw decimates Barao; Tate notches lopsided decision over Eye
In a rematch 14 months in the making, T.J. Dillashaw laid waste to Renan Barao, retaining the UFC bantamweight title with a fourth-round TKO in the main event at UFC on FOX 16.
See below for a breakdown of all the fights:
T.J. Dillashaw def. Renan Barao via fourth-round TKO
Dillashaw left no question about who the true bantamweight champion is on Saturday night, completely laying waste to Barao for a little over 15 minutes en route to a fourth-round TKO victory. Dillashaw was faster, stronger, and had a deeper gas tank, viciously picking apart "The Baron" with a heavy jab and crisp combinations, generally punctuated with a head kick. After almost finishing Barao in the third round, Dillashaw poured it on in the fourth, unleashing a torrent of punches until referee Herb Dean stepped in to stop the onslaught.
Miesha Tate def. Jessica Eye via unanimous decision
Tate likely earned another shot at the world destroyer known as Ronda Rousey with a rugged unanimous decision victory. Eye proved to be the better technical striker, but the leather-tough Tate waltzed through her offense, dropping Eye (and her shaky chin) multiple times with jaw-seeking missiles.
Edson Barboza def. Paul Felder via unanimous decision
It was technical. It was wonderful. It was filled with what the Diaz brothers would call "spinning sh-t." Barboza and Felder waged war for 15 minutes, with Barboza ripping Felder to shreds with vicious body kicks, while Felder, undaunted by the violent attack, stalked the Brazilian around the Octagon, landing crisp combinations of his own. Despite sporting a gruesomely swollen eye, Barboza's assault on Felder's legs and body were enough to earn him the W.
Joe Lauzon def. Takanori Gomi via first-round TKO
It was a walk-off ... ground and pound? Lauzon absolutely wrecked Gomi, flattening out the PRIDE legend on the floor and raining down heavy punches before ultimately deciding to stop the onslaught on his own. It was a classy move in a sport that often allows its fighters to endure too much punishment.
Tom Lawlor def. Gian Villante via second-round KO
"Filthy" Lawlor lived up to his nickname on Saturday night. After being picked apart by Villante at range with blistering leg kicks during the opening round, Lawlor blasted Villante with a scintillating counter right hook to the jaw, finishing Villante just 27 second seconds into the second stanza. Highlight-reel stuff.
Jim Miller def. Danny Castillo via split decision
In the third split decision of the evening, the impossibly rugged Miller did just enough to sneak by Castillo. The bout could have gone either way, with Miller landing some decent combinations and controlling the fight early on the floor, while Castillo landed some good shots of his own, including some big head kicks that Miller somehow ate with ease. The only stupid thing of the 15-minute affair: One of the judges gave Miller a ridiculous 30-27 scorecard.
Ben Saunders def. Kenny Robertson via split decision
Defense? What is this "defense" you speak of? Saunders and Robertson completely eschewed defense during their 15-minute slobberknocker, and instead violently (and sloppily) traded heavy leather for three rounds until the final horn sounded. Saunders, who survived being dropped in the first round, controlled Robertson with a slick rubber guard for much of the final frame, carving up the former school teacher's visage with vicious elbows in what likely earned him the nod from two out of three judges.
Bryan Caraway def. Eddie Wineland via unanimous decision
It wasn't a 15-minute grapplefest, and yet Caraway was still able to outpoint Wineland. Most expected Wineland to feast on Caraway on the feet, but it was Miesha Tate's boyfriend who got the better of the striking exchanges, finding a home for his left hook on the side of Wineland's face (though both did their fair share of swinging at air). Wineland was already contemplating retirement before, and this lackluster performance may push him over the edge.
James Krause def. Daron Cruickshank via first-round submission (rear-naked choke)
In the most impressive performance of his career, Krause ran straight through Cruickshank, needing less than a minute and a half to submit "The Detroit Superstar." Krause used a slick trip to take Cruickshank to the mat, and immediately cinched-in the fight-ending rear-naked choke.
Andrew Holbrook def. Ramsey Nijem via split decision
Ladies and gentlemen, there's been a robbery. After 15 grueling minutes of slick scrambles and grappling exchanges, it appeared as though Nijem was set to earn a unanimous decision over a game Holbrook. Not so, said the judges, and Holbrook was somehow handed a split-decision victory. An incredulous Nijem was stunned by the decision and so were the fans at the United Center, who lustily booed during Bruce Buffer's official announcement.
Elizabeth Phillips def. Jessamyn Duke via unanimous decision
Phillips was saved by the bell. After completely dominating Duke in the first two rounds, a clearly gassed Phillips was absolutely crushed by Duke in the third stanza. A battered Duke kept moving forward, and almost sealed the bout with an armbar at the buzzer. Unfortunately for Duke, it wasn't enough, and Phillips survived to earn a unanimous decision.
Zak Cummings def. Dominique Steele via first-round TKO
It took Cummings a mere 41 seconds to completely dismantle Steele. Cummings dropped Steele with a blistering straight left and continued to unleash a torrent of fists until referee Otto Torriero mercifully stepped in to stop the onslaught.
Main Card
T.J. Dillashaw (135) vs. Renan Barao (135)
Jessica Eye (136) vs. Miesha Tate (135.5)
Edson Barboza (155) vs. Paul Felder (155.5)
Takanori Gomi (155.5) vs. Joe Lauzon (155.5)
Prelim Card
Tom Lawlor (203) vs. Gian Villante (205)
Danny Castillo (155.5) vs. Jim Miller (155)
Kenny Robertson (170) vs. Ben Saunders (170.5)
Bryan Caraway (135.5) vs. Eddie Wineland (136)
Fight Pass Prelims
Daron Cruickshank (155) vs. James Krause (155.5)
Andrew Holbrook (155.5) vs. Ramsey Nijem (156)
Jessamyn Duke (135.5) vs. Elizabeth Phillips (135)
Zak Cummings (170.5) vs. Dominique Steele (170.5)