Main Card:
TJ Dillashaw (11-2) vs. Renan Barao (33-2)
Miesha Tate (16-5) vs. Jessica Eye (11-2)
Edson Barboza (15-3) vs. Paul Felder (10-0)
Joe Lauzon (24-11) vs. Takanori Gomi (35-10)
Prelims:
Gian Villante (13-5) vs. Tom Lawlor (9-5-1 NC)
Jim Miller (24-6, 1 NC) vs. Danny Castillo (17-8)
Kenny Robertson (15-3) vs. Ben Saunders (18-6-2)
Eddie Wineland (21-10-1) vs. Bryan Caraway (19-8)
Prelims (on UFC Fight Pass):
Daron Cruickshank (16-6, 1 NC) vs. James Krause (21-7)
Ramsey Nijem (9-5) vs. Andrew Holbrook (9-0)
Jessamyn Duke (3-2) vs. Elizabeth Phillips (4-3)
Zak Cummings (17-4) vs. Dominique Steele (13-5)
Most at stake
TJ Dillashaw–
Over one year ago, 4th ranked TJ Dillashaw shocked the MMA world at UFC 173. The 29-year-old Alpha male product, not only beat the former Bantamweight champion Reanan Barao, he dominated the champ for 5 rounds in spectacular fashion.
(Flashback to May 25, 2014) – It’s UFC 173, 4th ranked TJ Dillshaw was a +560 underdog facing one of the best fighters in the world. His opponent, Reanan Barao, has won his last 22 fights (a winning streak that spanned 9 years). After five grueling rounds of beating, Barao found himself on the wrong end of the exchange, suffering a vicious TKO loss, and was knocked off as reigning Bantamweight champ.
Dillshaw not only walked away with the “Fight of the Night” and Bantamweight belt, he also pulled of one of the biggest upsets in UCF history.
(Fast forward to now)
After being postponed twice, the highly anticipated rematch is finally upon us. Will Barao be able to avenge his only loss in almost a decade?
Why is so much is at stake?
Dillshaw was nothing short of amazing in the first fight with Barao. He showed off crisp footwork, a solid game plan, and physically outworked and out struck Renan Barao. Can he do it again?
TJ Dillshaw definitely has the most to lose at UFC on Fox 16. If he wins, it will affirm everything we saw in the first fight; Dillshaw is a great fighter and his win was no fluke. But a loss?
A loss could spell disaster for the current champion. Sure, he may get a trilogy fight with Renan Benao , but if that fight doesn’t pan out his way, Dillshaw could find himself in a bit of a jumble in the Bantamweight division. The current top 5 fighters include a teammate, a former champion, and the last person to defeat Dillashaw. Without a win at UFC on Fox on Saturday, TJ Dillashaw could find himself on the outside looking in.
Miesha Tate
Mishea Tate is one of the top female fighters on the planet. The former number one contender has won her last 3 fights and has her eye set on one thing and one thing only, Rhonda Rousey’s title.
The biggest obstacle for “Cupcake” Tate in her quest for glory is the opponent she’s facing July 27th, Jessica Eye.
Tate is a “grind it out” style fighter who uses her superior grappling skills to dominate her opponents once she had them on the mat, much like champion Rhonda Rousey.
Jessica Eye has a completely different style; she likes to brawl, and will look to keep on her feet where she can do a significant amount of damage with her knockout power. If Eye can use her length to her advantage, and keep Tate at bay by stuffing her takedowns, Mishea Tate may be in huge trouble.
This fight is important for both Tate and Eye for one reason. Winner fights Rousey. For Tate, the time to win is now and UFC on Fox 16 is her last stepping-stone before the Ultimate faceoff: Rousey VS Tate 2.
Takanori Gomi
Takonori Gomi aka “The Fireball Kid” is one of the best lightweight MMA fighters of all time. The Japanese native, who is now 36, has done a pretty remarkable job of staying relevant throughout his career. After a 4 year stint in the Pride FC, he debuted in the UFC in 2010. By becoming a more technical fighter, Gomi has extended his career to its last squeeze, and no longer relies on his one punch power for which he was famous.
The Fireball Kid is currently ranked just outside the top 50 in most polls, which is part of the reason why this fight has so much importance for him. The Lightweight division currently houses over 100 fighters on its current roster, losing to a veteran like Lazon certainly won’t destroy Gomi, but it does show that he is falling behind other veterans who still rule the Lightweight division. If Takonori Gomi does not find his hand the one raised on Saturday night, it would mean 3 out of 5 fights have ended in a loss (with his two coming from other longtime veterans). For a world-class competitor like Gomi, this is unacceptable. “The Fireball Kid” is no longer a kid; a loss could mean the Fireball has finally burnt out. A win over Joe Lazon could mean Gomi may be the veteran you have to go through to prove you deserve to be even a blip on the UFC Lightweight radar.
Fighter to watch
Tom Lawlor
It’s been over two years since we last saw “Filthy” Tom Lawlor step into the UFC octagon (UFC on Fuel TV 9). The former Middleweight will be making his UFC return at Light Heavyweight, and it should be a great fight. Though his opponite Gian Villante is currently ranked 15th and is on a 3 fight win streak, I don’t think he will have what it takes to beat Lawlor, who is an elite wrestler. Lawlor is relentless with the takedowns and his ground game and will stop at nothing to make sure this fight goes to the ground, and stays there. I not only think Lawlor will win his first fight back since his two year hiatus, he will dominate it in every way, shape, and form.