It didn’t vary much from the script written in their first meeting: TJ Dillashaw finished off rival Cody Garbrandt in the first round of the main event of UFC 227.
Saturday’s UFC 227 main event saw the rematch between current Bantamweight Champion and former Alpha Male member TJ Dillashaw and former teammate Cody Garbrandt. It was a five round grudge match bantamweight title, from back at UFC 217. Their previous meeting saw Dillashaw KO Garbrandt near the middle of the second round, but it had done little to settle the bad blood between them.
Their second meeting also ended definitively, though it’s doubtful the bad blood will be quelled this time either.
Early on, Garbrandt took center, while Dillashaw just missed a low kick. Garbrandt pressed forward and Dillashaw responded with another kick. TJ Dillashaw kept changing levels as Garbrandt pressed the action. The challenger fired a right while Dillasahw answered with a right of his own. Garbrandt came with a kick next; they exchanged and both landed rights that looked to have hurt the other for a moment. Because of that, neither could really take advantage of the other being stunned.
As the round progressed, Garbrandt loaded up on kicks, while Dillashaw fired off a kick that was caught. The champ was tossed to the mat but recovered quickly. Then, he responded with a right that dropped Garbrandt! Shades of their first meeting. Dillashaw pounced and started to unload punches but Garbrandt recovered and got back to his feet. Dillashaw was stalking Garbrandt and landed a hard right that wobbled Garbrandt again! TJ followed up with a second flurry that sent his rival down to the mat. Dillashaw followed him there, and unloaded with blow after blow, but Garbrant got back to his feet clearly hurt. Dillashaw continued that assault with a flurry of rights followed by a crushing knee that was enough for the ref to step in and call the fight.
OHHHH! Dillashaw drops Garbrandt again! #UFC227 pic.twitter.com/2uP1qCTNVz
— #UFC227 (@ufc) August 5, 2018
And once again, TJ Dillashaw had stopped Cody Garbrandt! Only, faster on the second try.
“I’m way too gold for this beef, feel like I’m Kobe.” 🏆#ASTROWORLD #UFC227 pic.twitter.com/KpyRzUI7B2
— #UFC227 (@ufc) August 5, 2018
After the fight, he dedicated the win to coach Duane Ludwig, and said that particular belt was going to him.
T.J. Dillashaw def. Cody Garbrandt by TKO (punches and knee), Round 1, 4:17
