T.J. Dillashaw accomplished the unthinkable, the unimaginable Saturday night at UFC 173: He lifted the bantamweight belt from Renan Barao with a fifth-round TKO. The event was held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Barao wasn't just a champion; he was on track to become a legendary figure in mixed martial arts. The Brazilian entered the Octagon on a 22-fight win streak and had not tasted defeat in 34 straight bouts.
And Barao didn't simply win fights; he dominated the opposition. His relentless, aggressive attack - kicks and punches -- had opponents reeling.
Barao was a heavy favorite to retain his 135-pound title - the odds favoring Barao had gone as high as 9-1. No wonder the champ exuded extreme confidence.
He'd already defended his belt against higher-profile UFC challengers. It would not have been unreasonable for Barao to view Dillashaw as a lesser threat.
But right away Dillashaw proved to be nothing like any challenger Barao had faced previously. Dillashaw, a skilled wrestler, came out throwing strikes from various angles and he never took his foot of the pedal.
Dillashaw thoroughly dominated Barao before finishing him at 2:26 of the final round.
"I've dreamed it for so long. It's unbelievable. It's the greatest feeling in the world," said Dillashaw, who improved to 10-2. "Barao's the best in the world in my eyes. I've been looking up to the guy. That's what brought it out in me. I knew I was fighting the best. I knew I had to bring my best to become the champion of the world."
Barao falls to 32-2 with one no contest.
In the co-main event: Daniel Cormier overwhelmed Dan Henderson en route to third-round victory by rear-naked choke.
Cormier, a former heavyweight top contender, used his superior strength to take Henderson down and punish him with strikes. With the win, Cormier (15-0) made it clear that he wants a shot at light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
"I knew if I wrestled him I would control the entire fight," Cormier said. " I always say I take away whatever my opponent is good at. Dan has heavy hands so I took that away from him.
"Last week, I hurt my knee and I probably should've pulled out but I knew I could get it done. I'm ready for Jon Jones. He's not ready for me."
Henderson, who has held titles in Pride and Strikeforce, falls to 30-12.
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