TJ Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao II Headlines UFC 186; Plus, Rampage Returns
The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday revealed a large portion of the line-up, including the headliner, for its April 25 card in Montreal.
UFC 186 features the bantamweight rematch between TJ Dillashaw and the man he took the belt from, Rena Barao.
Dillashaw (11-2) had been on track to face Dominick Cruz, but the former champion had to withdraw due to injury. Raphael Assuncao was next in line, but within hours of Cruz withdrawing, Assuncao revealed that he had suffered a broken ankle.
So now, Barao (33-2) will get the chance to step back into the Octagon and reclaim the title he once held.
Dillashaw and Barao had initially been scheduled to rematch at UFC 177 last August, but Barao fainted and injured himself while cutting weight and had to bow out.
A previously rumored bout between top welterweight contenders Rory MacDonald (18-2) and Hector Lombard (35-4-1) will also grace the card, as will the return of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
SEE ALSO: UFC 186 Fight Card
Rampage recently served notice to Bellator that he was cutting his ties with them over a contract dispute, and quickly returned to the UFC, where he once held the light heavyweight championship.
Rampage (35-11) is likely preparing his swan song, as he wasn’t sure how much longer he would continue when he left the UFC and eventually signed with Bellator. He’ll face Fabio Maldonado (22-7) when he steps back into the Octagon in Montreal.
The card doesn’t drop off much from there either, as several more bouts were announced on Saturday.
Michael Bisping (25-7) faces C.B. Dollaway (15-6), Patrick Cote (20-9) squares off with Joe Riggs (40-15), Olivier Aubin-Mercier (5-1) will fight David Michaud (8-1), and Jessica Rakoczy (1-4) will meet Valerie Letourneau (6-3) on the card.
UFC 186: Dillashaw vs. Barao II marks the promotions first trip back to Montreal since Georges St-Pierre defended his welterweight strap against Nick Diaz in the main event at UFC 158 in March of 2013.
