When TJ Dillashaw fought Renan Barao he did came into the fight a huge underdog, but his knockout win may have been one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.
Dillashaw earned a title fight by going on a 6-1 fight win streak from 2012 to 2014, with his lone loss a split decision to Raphael Assaunco. Barao earned his title in 2012 fight with Urijah Faber for the bantamweight title vacated by Dominick Cruz due to injury. Barao defeated Urijah Faber by unanimous decision. Prior to that Barao was undefeated in the WEC and UFC and his only loss had come in 2005 in his professional debut.
Dillashaw was a 7-1 underdog coming into the fight according to the closing odds in the sports book, but was undeterred. Dillashaw landed a huge right hand in the first round that may have changed the fight and took it to Barao before ending the fight in the fifth round.
About TJ Dillashaw
Few UFC championship fights have been as stirring – or as surprising – as TJ Dillshaw’s victory over Renan Barao for the bantamweight title in May 2014.
Dillashaw was a considerable underdog with a 10-2 professional record when he faced Barao, arguably the greatest bantamweight in MMA history, at UFC 173 in Las Vegas. Barao brought in a 34-1 record, was on a 22-fight win streak and hadn’t lost in nine years.
But Dillashaw pulled off a stunning upset, using quick hands and exceptional footwork to dominate Barao from the start before finishing him with a fifth-round TKO.
All you have to do is believe, baby! Dillashaw said in the Octagon. Believe you’re the best in the world and you’ll get here!
source: ufc.com
About Renan Barao
Renan do Nascimento Mota Pegado, better known as Renan Barão, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and the former UFC Bantamweight Champion. He held one of the longest almost unbeaten streaks in MMA history, excluding his debut lost, recording 32 straight fights without a loss (31 victories and 1 no contest) over a span of 9 years. As of November 26, 2015, he is no longer ranked in the official UFC pound-for-pound rankings[4] and ranked the #2 bantamweight in the world by Sherdog. His nickname Barão (baron), which predates his athletic career, was given to him by his grandmother after a character in the 1986 Brazilian soap opera Sinhá Moça.
source: wikipedia.com
