Dillashaw vs. Barao 2, Pettis vs. Jury, Tate vs. Eye set for UFC on FOX 16 in Chicago
The long-awaited rematch between UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw (11-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) and former champ Renan Barao (33-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) is set for UFC on FOX 16 in Chicago.
UFC officials revealed the booking to the staff of FOX Sports’ “America’s Pregame.”
Additional contests revealed for the July 25 event at United Center include Anthony Pettis (18-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) vs. Myles Jury (15-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and Miesha Tate (16-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) vs. Jessica Eye (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC).
Barao and Dillashaw were expected to headline next weekened’s UFC 186 event, but an injury to the champ forced the contest to be rescheduled. The delay in the Dillashaw-Barao rematch was the second time the fight has had to be postponed. Dillashaw ended Barao’s 32-fight unbeaten streak to capture the title at UFC 173 this past May in a shocking upset, and a dominant one, at that. A rematch was first booked for UFC 177 this past August, but the fight fell apart on weigh-in day when Barao suffered an injury while cutting weight.
Dillashaw remained on the card and successfully defended his title against last-minute replacement Joe Soto.
While both Jury and Pettis are looking to rebound from losses, stylistically, the fight seems like a potential barnburner.
Meanwhile, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey in March announced the Tate vs. Eye contest.
Although Rousey said the title eliminator would take place at UFC 190, UFC President Dana White later clarified to MMAjunkie that it will take place in early summer. White initially wasn’t up to speed on the date and asked Tate, who was in attendance, for a timeframe.
Tate has won three straight since losing a rematch to Rousey at UFC 168, beating onetime title challengers Liz Carmouche and Sara McMann in addition to Rin Nakai. Eye, meanwhile, earned her first UFC win this past November with a second-round TKO of Leslie Smith. A previous win over ex-Strikeforce champ Sarah Kaufman was overturned when she tested positive for marijuana.