Dillashaw hopes to expand his MMA legacy with second victory over Barão

Dillashaw (photo) meets Barão again, now as champion, at the end of August. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

When you defeated Renan Barao in a dominant way and won the UFC bantamweight belt in May, TJ Dillashaw did not consider that the Brazilian deserved an immediate rematch. However, with the athletes' reunion already scheduled for next Saturday (30), at UFC 177, the North American stated that the opportunity will allow him to further grow his name in world MMA.

Dillashaw believes that a second victory over Barão, currently considered the eighth best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, will bring him even closer to his desire to become a legend of the sport. “The reason I didn't think he deserved a rematch was because, seeing what I did to him in the first fight, it wasn't even balanced. However, I realized that he is the opponent who will make my name in the bantamweight division. I told people I was going to become UFC champion and I've already achieved that. Now, I have even bigger goals and I want to become a legend in this sport. The way to become a legend in this sport is by beating fighters who are well ranked on the pound-for-pound list”, said Dillashaw, in an interview with the website of the English magazine “Fighters Only”.

The fight will take place in the city of Sacramento, California (USA), Dillashaw's hometown. The champion said he was looking forward to having the experience of fighting at home. “I'm so excited to fight in front of my family and friends. There will be a lot of people there to watch me fight and they will scream a lot. It will be a monumental moment, a lot of fun for me,” he concluded.