UFC president took to the airwaves on Wednesday’s UFC Tonight to announce that bantamweight champ T.J. Dillashaw would face former champ Dominick Cruz in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 81 on Fox Sports 1 in January. This marks the first time that a UFC title has been contested on the cable network.
Dillashaw is coming off two straight title defenses including a TKO win over ex-champ Renan Barao at UFC on Fox 16 in July. He’s held the belt since winning his first bout with Barao in May 2014. He’s won four straight and hasn’t lost since (the currently injured) Raphael Assuncao took a split decision against him in late 2013.
Cruz has been battling knee injuries since a May 2012 ACL tear and has fought just once since 2011. He was only stripped of the title following a groin tear in early 2014 that precluded a unification bout against then-interim champ Barao.
He came back in late 2014 and won a quick TKO over veteran Takeya Mizugaki but then tore his other ACL and had to endure another surgery.
Also confirmed for the January 17th card is a previously reported lightweight bout between former UFC champion Anthony Pettis and former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez. It is shaping up to be a big night of fights as well as a big night for Fox Sports 1, who will have plenty of fans tune-in due to the heavy advertisements from FOX’s coverage of an NFL divisional round playoff game. There’s no confirmation on an official venue.