T.J. Dillashaw retains bantamweight title with stoppage of Cody Garbrandt at UFC 227
LOS ANGELES — T.J. Dillashaw put an exclamation point on his bantamweight title rivalry with Cody Garbrandt on Saturday night, unleashing a torrid first round technical knockout in the main event of UFC 227 at Staples Center.
Dillashaw retained the belt he had won by knocking out Garbrandt at Madison Square Garden in November and insisted he is now the “best bantamweight of all time.”
The opening round was an explosive affair before Dillashaw unleashed a brutal flurry that rocked Garbrandt and left him powerless to parry the onslaught that followed. Referee Herb Dean called a stop to the action at 4:10 of the opener.
“He got me good,” Dillashaw said, referring to the early exchanges. However, the champion was able to block the heaviest of Garbrandt’s shots while offering far more accurate replies of his own. A powerful right hand set Garbrandt on his heels, a furious knee to the chin set up the finish, and Dillashaw made no mistake as victory beckoned.
Dillashaw also said he was open to a champion-vs.-champion clash with newly-crowned flyweight king Henry Cejudo, who dethroned reigning title holder Demetrious Johnson in the co-main event.