D. Ludwig (left) did not want Dillashaw (right) to put his title on the line. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook
The cutting of Renan Barao just hours before the official weigh-in for UFC 177, last Friday (29), made the event one of the busiest backstage events in the recent past of the largest MMA organization on the planet. With the Brazilian's departure, Joe Soto was selected to fight against TJ Dillashaw, becoming the athlete to win a title fight with the shortest notice in the history of Ultimate. The exchange, however, did not please coach Duane “Bang” Ludwig, who revealed that he had asked for the duel between Soto and Dillashaw not to be worth the belt.
“For me, we were facing an impasse, because Joe Soto didn't deserve a fight for the UFC belt. This ends up minimizing the mystique of the UFC title. So I suggested that the fight happen, but that it wouldn't be worth the belt”, said Ludwig, in an interview with the “ShootMedia” channel. The trainer's suggestion was not heeded and Dillashaw himself agreed to make his first title defense against Soto, which he ended up winning by knockout in the fifth round.
In addition to talking about behind the scenes at UFC 177, Duane “Bang” took the opportunity to poke fun at Renan Barao and further intensify the rivalry between the academies Team Alpha Male and Kimura Nova União. “I think that deep down Barão was feeling that he was going to face someone even tougher than he imagined”, said the coach and former fighter from UFC.
Renan Barao e TJ Dillashaw They faced each other for the first time at UFC 173, in May, with the North American ending the Brazilian's 32-win undefeated streak and winning the bantamweight belt. With Barão's cut from UFC 177 after fainting during the weight cutting process, the rematch between the two ended up being postponed, but now it will still depend on the native of Rio Grande do Norte to win a few more fights and re-accredit himself as number one challenger for the title.
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