With the TJ Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao rematch at UFC 177 is just days away, "The Viper" believes beating his Brazilian foe will boost his name to further greatness. The reigning champion also feels that he holds a psychological advantage over his opponent.
The first TJ Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao fight at UFC 173 in July saw a much more versatile striking game from "The Viper". Barao, who is usually a technician during the stand-up exchanges, was left staggered and stiff, as he eventually dropped his title after five rounds of being on the receiving end of beatings.
This is why when the UFC instantly called for a TJ Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao rematch in July, "The Viper" instantly jumped on the opportunity.
"I said 'yes' instantly," Dillashaw admitted in an interview with FOX Sports. "I had no question about it because now that I'm the UFC champion and that gold is there to help make me a legend and build my name up as high as possible, and to do that Renan Barao's the one to beat."
TJ Dillashaw was able to achieve an impressive feat by handing Renan Barao his first loss after a nine-year undefeated streak. And he was able to do so through a dominating fifth round TKO victory.
Despite these accomplishments, Dillashaw is still below the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. But he also feels that a win over Barao, who holds the eighth spot in the rankings, would finally get his name in the fold.
"He's the one to propel my name into greatness," Dillashaw added. "He's the one who is ranked ahead of me in pound-for-pound, even though I demolished him. So he's still ranked ahead of me in the pound-for-pound list. I beat him, I move up the ranks."
Going up against the number eight pound-for-pound fighter is always a tall task for anyone, but not for Dillashaw, as he believes that he holds a psychological advantage over the former champion.
"I guarantee he's thinking in the back of his head everyday when he's training that he doesn't want that ass whooping to happen again," Dillashaw said. "I'm going to put it on him and he's going to fold. It's a huge psychological advantage for me."
