"UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw will make his first title defense in front of a hometown crowd, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship heads to Sacramento, California on Saturday, August 30 (10 P.M. EST, Pay Per View) for UFC 177. And standing across the Octagon from Dillashaw (10-2, 6-2 UFC) at the Sleep Train Arena will be none other than Renan Barao (32-2 1NC, 7-1 UFC), the former 135-pound strapholder.
"It was just three months ago, at UFC 173, that Dillashaw captured the title with a near-perfect finish of Barao, forcing the stoppage midway through the fifth round with a head kick and punches. On that night in late May, Dillashaw demonstrated superior speed and striking, dazing the former champ in the first round with a knockdown blow, dominating in the rounds that followed.
"Now it remains to be seen if Dillashaw can deliver a repeat performance."
