Breaking | UFC 227: T.J. Dillashaw KOs Cody Garbrandt again to settle savage rivalry in one round
California-native Dillashaw calmly dispatches one-time teammate at Staples Centre
In a furious one-chapter bout, Dillashaw beat Garbrandt to the punch time after time before unloading on his opponent against the cage before the referee Herb Dean stepped in and ended matters with 50 seconds left in the opener.
In a wild opening, both fighters threw caution to the wind loading up on sweeping power punches. In the end it proved to be 27-year-old Garbrandt’s downfall as he fell to a second straight defeat against Dillashaw (16-3).
Dillashaw and Garbrandt were formerly friends and trained together in Sacramento until 2014, when Dillashaw left in a messy break-up with the Team Alpha Male gym.
Dillashaw held the 135-pound title belt before losing it to Dominick Cruz, but Garbrandt then took it from Cruz less than two years after he entered the UFC. Dillashaw and Garbrandt met for the first time last November, and Dillashaw stopped him in the second round.
“This cements my legacy as the greatest bantamweight of all-time,” said the 32-year-old Dillashaw. “I could tell that Cody was already hurt when we started that exchange and then I lined up the shot.
“I got a little excited when I should’ve slowed down and finished him, but I got the job done. I love this game. I love to fight and I thank you all for your support.”
