UFC on FOX 16 has added three high profile match-ups to the fight card. T.J. Dillashaw returns to the Octagon against Renan Barao in the evening’s main event, with former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis taking on Myles Jury in the co-main event. Also added to the fight card is Miesha Tate vs. Jessica Eye.
UFC officials announced the match-ups on FOX Sports’ “America’s Pregame.”
Dillashaw (11-2) was expected to take on Barao in the main event at UFC 186, however a rib injury forced the champ out of action. Since winning the belt against Barao at UFC 173, Dillashaw has defended the title once against Joe Soto at UFC 177 in August of last year.
Barao (33-2, 1NC) has only stepped inside the Octagon once since losing the belt and that was a third round submission victory against Mitch Gagnon in December of last year.
Pettis (18-3) lost for the first time in nearly four years at UFC 185, when he lost the lightweight championship against Rafael dos Anjos. Prior to the loss, “Showtime” was riding a five-fight winning streak, with four finishes, dating back to 2011.
Jury (15-1) was undefeated, until he stepped inside the Octagon at UFC 182 against Donald Cerrone. “Cowboy” proved to be too much for Jury and handed him his first loss. The 26-year-old is 6-1 under the UFC banner.
Tate (16-5) is riding a three-fight winning streak, with her most recent outing coming at UFC 183 against Sara McMann. Since being beaten by Ronda Rousey at UFC 168, Tate has beating Liz Carmouche, Rin Nakai and the aforementioned McMann.
Eye (11-2, 1NC) is coming off a victory against Leslie Smith at UFC 180 in November of last year. Since making her Octagon debut, Eye is 1-1, 1NC.
UFC on FOX 16 goes down on July 25 from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
