UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz Recap & Results

It was the fight the UFC’s bantamweight division had been waiting for. Finally returning to contention following a torrid 4-year spell on the sidelines, former champion Dominick Cruz hoped to complete an incredible comeback by recapturing the belt he never lost. The current champion, T.J. Dillashaw, however had looked superb since claiming the title two years prior. Could Cruz join the elite group of two-time UFC champions, or did Dillashaw prove himself once and for all as the undisputed king of the 135-pound division?

For some fighters their fists or kicks are their primary weapons. For Dominick Cruz, his mind and sheer will to win might be his. For twenty five technical minutes ‘The Dominator’ executed his gameplan and forced T.J. Dillashaw to stray away from his. The final result was another incredibly close contest, but no-one could really deny Cruz as he earned the narrowest of split decision victories to reclaim the bantamweight throne.

Things started brightly for the returning former champion. Moving with the same fluidity that led him to his first title six years ago, Cruz quickly frustrated the similarly gifted Dillashaw by expertly avoiding the champion’s powerful striking attempts. Cruz looked as if he had only fought a couple of weeks ago, not just sixty seconds in well over four years. Growing more and more desperate to score Dillashaw relied less on his footwork and setting up strikes and instead wound up, hoping to flatten his challenger with lunging haymakers and head kicks. His continued failure to connect with anything of note only further underlined Cruz’s early success.

A champion should never be completely counted out however and Dillashaw managed to reverse the momentum in the championship rounds. A heavy leg kick delivered to the surgically repaired knee of Cruz saw the challenger’s mobility severely limited, allowing Dillashaw the perfect opportunity to close the distance and score with a slew of significant blows. Well known for his ability to finish opponents late, Dillashaw remained aggressive until the very end, but unfortunately for him he was unable to replicate his knack for finishing and halt his determined challenger.

It was a razor close contest, undoubtedly one of the best in the history of the division. Cruz’s movement, counter combinations, takedowns (No-one had previously taken Dillashaw down in UFC competition) and general elusiveness dictated proceedings for the first three rounds, but Dillashaw’s successfully connected strikes caused far more damage overall as the fight wore on. The judges were equally torn with one scoring the bout 48-47 in the challenger’s favour while the other two submitting conflicting scorecards that deemed one fighter had done enough to warrant four rounds to one.

I personally felt that Cruz won the first three closely fought rounds but Dillashaw clearly won the championship rounds. It’s a tough loss for the now-former champion, but one can’t help but be overjoyed for Cruz’s victory. They will make a film about this comeback one day.

UFC Fight Night 81 Main Card Results

Lightweight
Francisco Trinaldo def Ross Pearson via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Heavyweight
Travis Browne def Matt Mitrione via TKO (punches) in round 3
Lightweight
Eddie Alvarez def Anthony Pettis via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Bantamweight Championship
Dominick Cruz def T.J. Dillashaw © via split decision (48-47, 46-49, 49-46)

What did you think of the fight and this Fight Night in general? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!