UFC 227 has the tough task of following the destined-to-be-great 226, but it’s off to a good start with a bantamweight title fight between TJ Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt.
Brett Okamoto of ESPN first reported the initial bout added to the UFC 227 card.
After all the superfight fanfare between champions TJ Dillashaw and Demetrious Johnson, it seems that each will be defending their respective belts another time. The first bout between Cody Garbrandt and Dillashaw had a big swing in momentum ending with a TJ Dillashaw KO, and we’ll be treated to the two high-level bantamweights sharing the cage again.
TJ Dillashaw is now a two-time bantamweight champion, defending the title twice in his first run with the belt. Dillashaw worked his way back to a title with wins over top-tier 135ers Raphael Assuncao and John Lineker. Prior to fighting Garbrandt at UFC 217, the rivals coached opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter, only making the animosity greater. After a tough first round for Dillashaw, in which Garbrandt knocked down his challenger, Dillashaw fired back in the second round and knocked out the champion.
Cody Garbrandt was touted as a top prospect from Team Alpha Male and delivered upon those expectations, knocking out four of his first five opponents and earning a title shot against the typically untouchable Dominick Cruz. Garbrandt outclassed Cruz over five rounds, knocking him down multiple times to win the title. He was unable to defend successfully though, as the aforementioned fight at UFC 217 was his next appearance.
UFC 227 will take place on August 4 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The only fight announced thus far is Dillashaw vs. Garbrandt. Expect the best fights available to be added to 226 for the time being, as this event will likely serve as similar purpose as UFC 201 did with 200 earlier that same month.
