Sherdog’s Top 10: The Ultimate Fighters

Brian KnappNov 30, 2016

3. T.J. Dillashaw

Dillashaw’s successful run in the Ultimate Fighting Championship got off to an ominous start, as he was violently knocked out by John Dodson in “The Ultimate Fighter 14” bantamweight tournament final. At the time, he seemed a most unlikely candidate to someday become champion.

However, Dillashaw won five of his next six fights -- a split decision loss to Raphael Assuncao was the only blemish -- and challenged Renan Barao for the undisputed bantamweight championship at UFC 173. Barao had not lost a fight in nine years and entered the cage as a prohibitive underdog. Even so, Dillashaw had the Brazilian in trouble on more than one occasion before stopping him with a head kick and punches midway through the fifth round. His ascent was complete.

Once a prominent member of Team Alpha Male, Dillashaw has thrown out his anchor at the Elevation Fight Team camp; and though he surrendered the 135-pound championship to Dominick Cruz in January, he remains a serious threat in the division he once ruled.

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