UFC 227 results: TJ Dillashaw emphatically KO's Cody Garbrandt to end rivalry
UFC 227 RESULTS - TJ DILLASHAW is still the UFC men's bantamweight champion.
Dillashaw's first outing in his second reign as 135lbs king took place in the early hours of the morning in the main event of UFC 227.
The man tasked with the job of ending Dillashaw's second championship reign was the bantamweight he emphatically prised the belt from at UFC 217, Cody Garbrandt.
But his former Team Alpha Male colleague was unsuccessful in his pursuit of reclaiming the title, suffering a second consecutive first-round KO loss.
As soon as referee Herb Dean shouted 'fight', Garabrandt immediately marched towards the centre of the Octagon and began stalking his old team-mate.
But he did so with an air of caution, which was more than likely due to the newfound respect he has for Dillashaw's power.
But it was Garbrandt's power which was on show first,as he hurt Dillashaw with a big right hand.
A wild flurry ensued moments afterwards, with both men throwing caution to the wind and uncorking several big rights hands.
Garbrandt's chin failed first as Dillashaw floored him with a powerful hook, which raised the decibel levels at the Staples Center.
'No Love' somehow managed to survive the initial oncoming flurry but was soon caught with another right hand as he came charging in.
The Ohio native was on wobbly legs and retreated to try and create distance from his former friend and get his wits about him.
Dillashaw didn't relent, unleashing another quick flurry before landing a beautiful knee from the Thai clinch flush on Garbrandt's chin before referee Dean mercifully called a halt to proceedings.
"It feels good," Dillashaw told UFC commentator Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview. "As always, man.
"Like I said, my bang Muay Thai is tight."
"He caught me good, you know? But there wasn't a moment I wasn't there," Dillashaw added. "I expected him to throw more counter right kicks, so I was going to wait.
"I know what I can do with that right hand. So I was just going to time and throw my own. And that's what happened."