T.J. Dillashaw

T.J. Dillashaw
Born Tyler Jeffrey Dillashaw
February 7, 1986
Sonora, California, United States
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
Division Bantamweight
Reach 68.0 in (173 cm)[1]
Style Wrestling, Kickboxing
Fighting out of Sacramento, California, United States
Team Team Alpha Male
Rank Black belt in Bang Muay Thai
Wrestling NCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active 2010-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 13
Wins 11
By knockout 5
By submission 3
By decision 3
Losses 2
By knockout 1
By decision 1
University Fullerton State
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Tyler Jeffrey "T.J." Dillashaw[2] (born February 7, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist and the current UFC Bantamweight Champion. Dillashaw was also a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller. As of April 29, 2015, he is #6 pound-for-pound in the official UFC rankings,[3] and is ranked #1 Bantamweight in the world by Sherdog.com.[4]

Early life and education

Dillashaw was born in Sonora, California on February 7, 1986, to Hal and Janice Dillashaw, but grew up in Angels Camp, California.[5] He attended Bret Harte High School and was on the wrestling team all throughout high school, and was on the football team for his junior year. He graduated from Bret Harte in 2004, and enrolled at CSUF, where he competed for the Titans wrestling program.

Wrestling

High school

While wrestling for Coach Jan Schulz at Bret Harte High School, Dillashaw was a four-time sectional qualifier and two-time California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state qualifier.[5] As a junior, Dillashaw placed fifth at the CIF state championships, and ended the season with a record of 45–7. He placed second at the CIF State championships as a senior to cap off a 52–6 record and finished with an overall record of 170–33.[5]

Collegiate

With a successful high school career, Dillashaw received a full-ride scholarship to wrestle for Fullerton State. In the 2005–06 season, Dillashaw's freshman year, he posted a 14–16 record including a 10–8 mark in dual matches. He went 3–4 in Pac-10 dual meets. Dillashaw traveled to Ukraine in the summer of 2006 to work on his wrestling skills.[5] Dillashaw's sophomore season was a more successful one having an overall record of 17–14 with an 11–4 mark in duals, including 5–3 in the Pac-10. In April 2007, he placed sixth in the University Greco Wrestling Championships in Akron, Ohio, at 132.25 pounds.[5] He also placed fourth at the Pac-10 championship in 2007.

In 2008, he placed fourth in the Pac-10 Championships and finished with a 22–10 record with four pins. He was 7–0 in Pac-10 duals, taking second place at Cliff Keen Invitational. His senior season he was ranked 10th in the nation at 133 lbs.[5]

Mixed martial arts

After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, Dillashaw contemplated turning to MMA. Former WEC featherweight champion, Urijah Faber, invited Dillashaw to join Team Alpha Male. Dillashaw began training with the team, and collected a 2–0 amateur record before turning pro.[6]

On March 26, 2010, Dillashaw made his professional debut against fellow pro debutee, Czar Sklavos. Dillashaw used his superior wrestling to earn a dominant unanimous decision win. Two months later, Dillashaw returned to fight Brandon Drucker, winning the fight via first round submission. The fight took place at Fight For Wrestling, an MMA event located in California attempting to raise money to fund the Cal Poly wrestling team.

Dillashaw picked up two more wins to move his record to a perfect 4–0 before trying out for the fourteenth season of The Ultimate Fighter.

The Ultimate Fighter

In 2011, Dillashaw signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller. In the first episode, he fought Matt Jaggers to gain entry into the Ultimate Fighter house. Dillashaw defeated Jaggers in the first round via TKO.

Dillashaw was selected as a part of Team Bisping, he was the second bantamweight chosen for the team (seventh overall). Dillashaw defeated Roland Delorme via rear-naked choke submission in the preliminary round and moved onto the semi-finals. It was there he fought Dustin Pague for the first spot in the bantamweight final on the finale card. Dillashaw dominated Pague, grinding out three tough rounds to win the fight via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-26).

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Dillashaw officially made his UFC debut on December 3, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale. The fight was the final of the bantamweight tournament against John Dodson to determine the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 14. Dillashaw lost via TKO.

Dillishaw's sophomore outing came on February 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 1 against Walel Watson.[7] Dillashaw dominated Watson using his superior wrestling to control him on the ground, while nearly ending the fight several times with multiple submission attempts. Dillashaw won the bout via unanimous decision.

Dillashaw fought Vaughan Lee on July 11, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman.[8] He won the fight by submission via a standing neck crank in the first round.

Dillashaw was expected to face Mike Easton on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5.[9] However, Dillashaw was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Bryan Caraway.[10]

Dillashaw faced Issei Tamura on March 16, 2013, at UFC 158. Dillashaw won via knock-out 26 seconds into the second round.[11]

Dillashaw faced Hugo Viana on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7, replacing an injured Francisco Rivera.[12] He won the fight via TKO in round one.

Dillashaw was briefly linked to a bout with Raphael Assunção on September 4, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 28.[13] However, the pairing was delayed and took place at a later event this year due to a minor medical issue for Assunção.[14]

The bout with Assunção was rescheduled and took place on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29.[15] Assunção defeated Dillashaw via split decision.[16] The performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors, despite the fact that the end result was considered controversial by many MMA analysts.[17]

Dillashaw faced Mike Easton on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]

Bantamweight Championship

Dillashaw was expected to face Takeya Mizugaki on May 24, 2014, at UFC 173.[20] However, with the show losing its main event, Dillashaw was moved up the card to face Bantamweight champion and top 5 pound for pound Renan Barão in the featured bout.[21] In one of the biggest upsets in UFC and MMA history,[22] Dillashaw won the fight in dominant fashion, defeating Barão via TKO in the fifth round to become the new UFC Bantamweight champion. In addition to winning the title, Dillashaw received bonuses for Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night.[23]

While interviewing Dillashaw after the fight, Joe Rogan said:

That was the greatest performance I have ever seen in my life!… You surpassed all expectations tonight with this performance. This was just … stunning…. This was incredible…. T.J., this is one of the finest performances I have ever seen. The best performance — I’ll say it right now — this is the most spectacular performance I have ever seen against a guy in Barão who is easily one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. Congratulations on just a masterful work tonight. It was an honor calling this fight. Thank you very much, brother.[24]

An immediate rematch with Barão was scheduled to take place on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177.[25] However, the day of the weigh-ins, Barão had to be admitted to the hospital as a result of his attempts to cut weight and was replaced by Joe Soto who was already scheduled to compete in a fight on the event's preliminary card.[26] Dillashaw defeated Soto via knockout in the fifth round.[27] The win also earned Dillashaw his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award.[28]

The rematch with Barão was rescheduled and was expected to take place on April 25, 2015 at UFC 186.[29] However a month before the event, Dillashaw was forced out of the bout after sustaining a broken rib while training.[30]

The rematch has again been rescheduled for UFC on Fox 16 on July 25, 2015.[31]

Personal life

Dillashaw married his wife in June 2014.[32][33]

Championships and achievements

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–2 Joe Soto KO (head kick and punch) UFC 177 August 30, 2014 5 2:20 Sacramento, California, United States Defended the UFC Bantamweight Championship; Performance of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–2 Renan Barão TKO (head kick and punches) UFC 173 May 24, 2014 5 2:26 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Won the UFC Bantamweight Championship; Fight of the Night; Performance of the Night, Upset of the Year (2014)
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–2 Mike Easton Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou January 15, 2014 3 5:00 Duluth, Georgia, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 8–2 Raphael Assunção Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields October 9, 2013 3 5:00 Barueri, Brazil Fight of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–1 Hugo Viana TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez April 20, 2013 1 4:22 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–1 Issei Tamura KO (head kick and punches) UFC 158 March 16, 2013 2 0:26 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–1 Vaughan Lee Submission (neck crank) UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman July 11, 2012 1 2:33 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–1 Walel Watson Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger February 15, 2012 3 5:00 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 4–1 John Dodson TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale December 3, 2011 1 1:54 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lost The Ultimate Fighter 14
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Taylor McCorriston TKO (punches) Capitol Fighting Championships November 20, 2010 3 1:07 Sacramento, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Mike Suarez Submission (rear-naked choke) Rebel Fighter - Domination October 2, 2010 1 2:42 Roseville, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Brandon Drucker Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight For Wrestling 1 May 22, 2010 1 2:46 San Louis Obispo, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Czar Sklavos Decision (unanimous) KOTC - Legacy March 26, 2010 3 5:00 Reno, Nevada, United States

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Dustin Pague Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Semi-finals.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Roland Delorme Submission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller 2 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Quarter-finals.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Matt Jaggers TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller 1 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Preliminary bout.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC 173 Barao vs. Dillashaw". UFC.com. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  2. ↑ Nevada State Athletic Commission. "Mixed Martial Arts Show Results" (PDF).
  3. ↑ UFC Fighter Rankings
  4. ↑ http://www.sherdog.com/news/rankings/8/Sherdogs-Official-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Rankings-75169
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Cal State Fullerton. "Player Bio: TJ Dillashaw".
  6. ↑ TJ Dillashaw. "Team Alpha Male: TJ Dillashaw".
  7. ↑ "UFC on FUEL TV 1 adds Dillashaw vs. Watson". mmajunkie.com. January 5, 2012.
  8. ↑ "T.J. Dillashaw Meets Vaughan Lee at UFC on Fuel TV 4". heavy.com. May 12, 2012.
  9. ↑ "T.J. Dillashaw vs. Mike Easton verbally agreed to for UFC on FOX 5 in Seattle". mmajunkie.com. October 20, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Bryan Caraway in for injured T.J. Dillashaw, faces Mike Easton at UFC on FOX 5". MMAjunkie.com. October 30, 2012.
  11. ↑ Staff (2013-02-19). "T.J. Dillashaw replaces Mitch Gagnon, meets Issei Tamura at UFC 158". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-02-19.
  12. ↑ Matt Erickson (2013-03-22). "T.J. Dillashaw replaces Francisco Rivera, meets Hugo Viana at UFC on FOX 7". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  13. ↑ Christoffer Esping (July 12, 2013). "TJ Dillashaw möter Raphael Assuncao på UFC on FOX Sports 1 #3". mmanytt.se.
  14. ↑ Kelsey Mowatt (July 14, 2013). "Raphael Assuncao vs. T.J. Dillashaw Delayed". cagedinsider.com.
  15. ↑ Mookie Alexander (2013-08-14). "Raphael Assuncao vs. T.J. Dillashaw rescheduled for UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  16. ↑ Andrew Potter (2013-10-09). "UFC Fight Night 29 Results: Raphael Assuncao keeps title aspirations alive, defeats TJ Dillashaw". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  17. ↑ Matt Erickson (2013-10-13). "UFC Fight Night 29 bonuses: Palhares snubbed for sub award". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  18. ↑ Mike Whitman (2013-11-04). "UFC Returns to Georgia in January with T.J. Dillashaw-Mike Easton". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-11-04.
  19. ↑ John Morgan (2014-01-15). "UFC Fight Night 35 results, photos: T.J. Dillashaw shines in one-sided win over Mike Easton". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-01-15.
  20. ↑ Wesley De Souza (2014-02-26). "Takeya Mizugaki vs TJ Dillashaw scheduled for UFC 173". thefightnation.com. Retrieved 2014-02-26.
  21. ↑ John Morgan (2014-03-27). "UFC bantamweight champ Renan Barao faces T.J. Dillashaw in new UFC 173 headliner". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-27.
  22. ↑ Luca Fury (2014-05-25). "UFC Bantamweight Champion The 20 Biggest Upsets in MMA History". Retrieved 2014-05-25.
  23. ↑ Staff (2014-05-25). "UFC 173 bonuses: T.J. Dillashaw doubles up to win $100,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
  24. ↑ Thomas Myers (2014-05-25). "Joe Rogan tells TJ Dillashaw 'that was the greatest performance I have ever seen!'". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
  25. ↑ Tristan Critchfield (2014-07-02). "T.J. Dillashaw-Renan Barao II Targeted for UFC 177 in Sacramento". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  26. ↑ "Renan Barao out of UFC 177, Joe Soto meets T.J. Dillashaw for title". MMAjunkie.com. August 29, 2014.
  27. ↑ Dave Doyle (August 31, 2014). "UFC 177 results: T.J. Dillashaw knocks out a game Joe Soto in the fifth round". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  28. ↑ "UFC 177 bonuses: Dillashaw, Medeiros, Ferreira, Nijem win $50,000". MMAjunkie.com. August 31, 2014.
  29. ↑ Jesse Holland (2015-01-17). "TJ Dillashaw vs Renan Barao rematch booked for UFC 186 main event on April 25 in Montreal". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2015-01-17.
  30. ↑ Adam Guillen, Jr. (2015-03-24). "Breaking: TJ Dillashaw forced out of Renan Barao rematch at UFC 186 with rib injury". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
  31. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (2015-04-14). "Dillashaw-Barao II highlights Chicago Fox card". UFC.com. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
  32. ↑ Ailene Voisin (2014-07-16). "‘I whupped up on him in awesome fashion,’ UFC champ Dillashaw says". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  33. ↑ "T.J Dillashaw is off the market". FabWags. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  34. ↑ http://combatpress.com/2014/12/combat-press-2014-mma-awards-upset-of-the-year-t-j-dillashaw-vs-renan-barao/
  35. ↑ http://mmanuts.com/news/2014-mma-awards/

External links