UFC 177 is in the books, and T.J. Dillashaw successful defended his bantamweight championship against late fill-in Joe Soto.
The two fighters that are currently in the title mix at 135-pounds are former champion Dominick Cruz and Raphael Assuncao. One of them will most likely fight Dillashaw for the title next.
UFC President Dana White said at the UFC 177 post-fight press conference that out of those two fighters whoever doesn’t fight for the title will likely fight Renan Barao next. Barao was set to rematch Dillashaw tonight but was forced to pull out. Barao passed out while cutting weight, so White has already said he needs to fight at least one more time to get a fight for the championship.
He made it short and simple at the press conference. “Whoever doesn’t fight T.J. will probably fight Barao.”
Talking about not knowing who should fight for the belt next, Dana also said, “It’s a good problem to have.”
There’s just one thing. Both Cruz and Assuncao have bouts lined up.
Cruz is taking on Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 178 and Assuncao is taking on Bryan Caraway at UFC Fight Night 54 in Halifax.
Although both of them are in line for the title, if one or even both lose their bouts, it’s hard to say what will happen in the bantamweight divison. Barao could possibly get a shot at the title quicker, and you could say top contender Urijah Faber would be back in “the mix” as well.
Everything depends on what happens in the next couple of months.
Keep it locked to MMASucka.com for more on the 135-pound title picture as it arises.
