What a fight. Dominick Cruz and T.J. Dillashaw put in all out there in the main event of UFC Fight Night 81, using their patented speed and striking to put on a show for the fans in Boston. In the end, former champion Cruz redeemed himself with a split decision win to claim the UFC bantamweight title. The scores were 48-47, 46-49, and 49-46.
Cruz looked like…well, himself early. He made Dillashaw miss a whole lot over the first two rounds, and he took advantage of his opportunities with counters. He also mixed in takedown attempts and looked excellent.
The third round is where the tide turned. Dillashaw started to connect a little more, and Cruz’s output dropped a bit. Cruz did come on late in the third though, connecting with a hard combination and some kicks.
Dillashaw was in control in the fourth and fifth. He had Cruz on the limp with some leg kicks, and Cruz’s elusiveness wasn’t quite as effective. Dillashaw’s fourth round was the most decisive round of the fight.
The fifth saw both men open up and try to connect with everything they had. Cruz was obviously hurting, but he pressed forward with hard combinations. Dillashaw caught Cruz has he was slowly trying to circle away and continued to batter his leg.
In the end it was obvious that the fight was close. It could have gone either way. But tonight, it went Dominick Cruz’s way.
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