Renan Barao

By FCF Staff

Although Raphael Assuncao has made a strong case for a title shot, and is the last man to defeat TJ Dillashaw, it looks like the UFC wants the latter to fight Renan Barao next.

Dillashaw scored a dominant, fifth round stoppage win over Barao at UFC 173 last month, and ended the renowned fighter’s reign as bantamweight champ. In doing so, the Team Alpha Male competitor also became the first man to defeat Barao in 33 fights.

While Dana White was speaking with the media ahead of UFC 174, the UFC President relayed the following about Dillashaw’s first title defence (quote MMA Junkie.com):

“[Dillashaw’s next fight] probably will be the Barao rematch,” White said. “Tell me if I’m wrong. I think we sat there and we started looking through the list of guys to fight T.J., and there is a list of guys, which is a great thing, but how do you not give it to Barao, the guy who was undefeated all those years? I agree he got a five-round a– whooping and got finished, but how does it make sense to not give him the rematch? And who doesn’t want to see it?”

The newly crowned champ has already said he’d prefer to fight Assuncao, who handed Dillashaw a split decision loss last October. Assuncao is currently riding a six fight win streak and is ranked #3 in the UFC’s bantamweight division.

Considering Barao’s record and impressive run in the UFC to date, however, Dillashaw may have to grant the Nova Uniao fighter an immediate rematch.