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Nine months. Nine months is how long it has been since Tyler Jeffrey Dillashaw faced Cody Ray Allen Garbrandt at UFC 217 on the 4th of November, 2017. Nine months is how long it has been since Dillashaw defeated Cody Garbrandt at UFC 217 to become the new UFC Bantamweight Champion. Nine months since he ended the winning streak of Garbrandt at 11-0, making it 11-1.
Neither men have entered the Octagon since then. But that is fast about to change, and who better to face in their first fight in ten months, than the same person they had faced last time?
On the 4th of August, after nine more UFC events have passed, T. J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt are set to square off against each other once more for the UFC Bantamweight Title.
Who will win this time? We say T. J. Dillashaw once more will emerge as the victor from this rematch.
Here are four reasons why, at UFC 217 on the 4th of August, T. J. Dillashaw will defeat Cody Garbrandt.
#4 Cool and Calculating approach
If there is one thing that is required in any Mixed Martial Arts fighter's character, it is that they have to be cool and calculating.
Any fighter who rushes into each and every challenge only opens themselves up to their opponent. It is easy then for that opponent to take advantage and land the blow that can make all the difference in a fight.
For any fighter to be successful, a modicum of thought needs to go into their actions. T. J. Dillashaw is just such a fighter.
Ever since Garbrandt lost their fight on the 4th of November at UFC 217, the previously undefeated MMA Fighter has been looking to get a rematch against his former teammate.
When the UFC 222 card looked to be in trouble after Holloway had to pull out due to an injury to his leg, Garbrandt and UFC tried to get Dilashaw to agree to an impromptu rematch.
Whereas a hot-headed champion might have immediately agreed, Dilashaw did no such thing. He pointed out that he had an injury, had just had a new-born child, and Garbrandt had not done anything to deserve an instantaneous rematch.
Dilashaw had not been training then and had looked to get a fight against 'Mighty Mouse' Demetrius Johnson in the future.
The Johnson bout idea had to be scrapped due to an injury, but by then Dillashaw was better prepared to enter the Octagon once again. Having recovered from injury and gotten into a better headspace, he has trained over the last few months for a fight.
So this time, not only did he accept the fight against Garbrandt once offered, but even promised to put the 'bully' back in his place. Having trained and being fit, he is obviously in better condition now to face the former champion.
This same cold calculating approach in the ring will help Dilashaw to take advantage of Garbrandt and defeat him for the second time.
#3 Garbrandt is shaken
Garbrandt had an immaculate 11-0 record over his Mixed Martial Arts career until he was finally taken down by T. J. Dilashaw in UFC 217. In fight sports, momentum can be everything. Having lost the streak he had going, Garbrandt will have to gain back his composure if he is to pick up the win against Dillashaw.
Unfortunately, it does not appear he is willing to do that. From the moment after he lost his bout, he has been after a rematch with Dilashaw, saying that Garbrandt was still the better fighter. While confidence is well and good, overconfidence has been the downfall of many and man.
If Garbrandt has underestimated Dilashaw and has not prepared mentally for the fight as well as he should have, then all the bluster will amount to nothing.
With Garbrandt obviously shaken, Dilashaw is bound to win.
#2 Dilashaw has nothing to prove
Dilashaw has nothing more to prove when he takes on Garbrandt at UFC 227. He already proved to the world that he could defeat him back in November of 2017 at UFC 217.
Since his win over Garbrandt, Dilashaw was able to shush all those who had doubted his ability in the Octagon and gained quite a big following as more people took notice of him. On top of that, he took time away to spend with his child, and also recover from all the injuries, allowing him time to clear his head.
All of this gives him a distinct advantage over Garbrandt and will be the lynch-pin for his ultimate victory over him on the 4th of August. He is not out to prove anything, and will only fight to retain his title against an opponent he knows he can defeat.
You can see their entire previous fight here:
#1 Dillashaw knows Garbrandt and has the advantage in the ring
Garbrandt has heavily relied on TKO results to win his matches in the past, while Dilashaw's offence is more varied. Having proved that he is capable of lasting the full fight several times, he also has a couple of submission-wins under his belt as well as TKOs.
While Garbrandt and Dillashaw are as closely matched as possible in the ring, Dilashaw has a two-inch advantage when it comes to their arm-reach. Two inches may not count for much when he faces off against Garbrandt at UFC 227 on the 4th of August, but the star has another distinct advantage.
Dilashaw and Garbrandt are extremely familiar with each other. They used to train at the same gym, 'Team Alpha Male', however, Dilashaw decided to train elsewhere. This decision started a war of words between the members of his old gym and Dilashaw. Garbrandt and Dilashaw were training buddies from their time together in the gym.
Dilashaw revealed after the UFC 217 fight, that he heard Garbrandt corner men shouting that they had his number. He was even knocked down at the end of the first round.
He changed his approach then and fought like a completely different fighter, which allowed him to pick up the win and knock out his former training partner.
Dilashaw will look to do the same this time, and his ability to vary his offence will help him greatly to pick up the decisive win.
You can see the preview for UFC 227, which is set to take place on the 4th of August, here:
Who do you think will win the match? Do you think Garbrandt stands a better chance? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
