UFC 173: Barao vs. Dillashaw | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Ariel Helwhiney
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Introduction
UFC 173: Barão vs. Dillashaw. May 24, 2014. MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. T.J. Dillashaw defeated Renan Barão by TKO (head kick and punches) at 2:25 of round five to win the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Dillashaw entered as a +765 betting underdog; Barão was a -1000 favourite widely considered the world’s No. 2-ranked pound-for-pound fighter. The result was one of the biggest upsets in UFC title fight history.
Dillashaw dominated all five rounds, knocking Barão down in round one and controlling the pace throughout. Barão’s unbeaten streak of 33 consecutive fights ended. In round five, needing only to survive to win a decision, Dillashaw landed a left high kick and followed with a finishing combination. After the fight, Joe Rogan said on air: ‘That was the greatest performance I have ever seen in my life. This was the most spectacular performance I have ever seen.’
The event had gone through three scheduled main events before Barão vs. Dillashaw: first Weidman vs. Belfort (TRT ban removed Belfort), then Weidman vs. Machida (Weidman suffered a knee injury). Daniel Cormier submitted Dan Henderson in round three. Robbie Lawler defeated Jake Ellenberger.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: May 24, 2014
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Main Event: Renan Barão (c) vs. T.J. Dillashaw — UFC BW Championship (Dillashaw was last-minute replacement for Assunção; was +765 underdog)
Result: Dillashaw def. Barão — TKO (Head Kick + Punches) — R5, 2:25; ONE OF THE BIGGEST UPSETS IN UFC HISTORY; Barão 33-fight unbeaten streak ended; Joe Rogan: ‘greatest performance ever’
Notable: THREE planned main events (Weidman-Belfort TRT ban, Weidman-Machida knee injury); Cormier subs Henderson R3; Lawler def. Ellenberger; Dillashaw FOTN+POTN=$100k
The Build-Up
The NSAC banned testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on February 27, 2014. Vitor Belfort, who had been using TRT, could not receive a Nevada licence for his scheduled main event against Weidman. Lyoto Machida agreed to step in. Weidman then suffered a knee injury. With the card needing a main event, Raphael Assunção declined on a rib injury. Barão was matched with Dillashaw — who had been scheduled to fight Takeya Mizugaki. Dillashaw had his best win over Mike Easton. He entered as a +765 underdog.'),
Main Event
Renan Barão (c) vs. T.J. Dillashaw — UFC BW Championship
Dillashaw opened with leg kicks and uppercuts. He knocked Barão down with a right hand in round one and swarmed; Barão survived via a leg lock attempt from his back. The pace remained extremely high throughout all five rounds. Dillashaw’s speed, movement, and footwork made Barão appear slow and reactive. In round five, Dillashaw landed a left high kick that staggered Barão and followed with a finishing left hand. Herb Dean intervened at 2:25.'),
Post-fight: Joe Rogan to Dillashaw: ‘That was the greatest performance I have ever seen in my life. You surpassed all expectations tonight. This was just... stunning. This was incredible. T.J., this is one of the finest performances I have ever seen.’
Co-Main Event
Daniel Cormier vs. Dan Henderson — Light Heavyweight
Cormier dominated Henderson with wrestling and control. In round three, he secured the rear-naked choke that forced Henderson to tap at 3:53. The stoppage continued Cormier’s unbeaten UFC run and strengthened his position as the LHW title contender.'),
Full Results
Preliminary Card
James Krause def. Jamie Varner — Decision — R3 — LW
Michael Chiesa def. Francisco Trinaldo — Decision — R3 — LW
Tony Ferguson def. Mike Rio — TKO — R? — LW
Mitch Clarke def. ? — Sub — R? — LW; POTN ($50k to Clarke)
Takeya Mizugaki def. Francisco Rivera — Decision — R3 — BW; Mizugaki was Dillashaw’s original scheduled opponent
Main Card
Robbie Lawler def. Jake Ellenberger — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 — WW; Lawler on his way to title
Daniel Cormier def. Dan Henderson — Sub (RNC) — R3, 3:53 — LHW; Co-Main; Cormier dominant
UFC BW Championship (5 rounds) — Main Event
T.J. Dillashaw def. Renan Barão — TKO (Head Kick + Punches) — R5, 2:25 — ONE OF BIGGEST UPSETS IN UFC HISTORY; +765 underdog wins; 33-fight streak ended; FOTN ($50k each) + POTN ($50k) = $100k to Dillashaw
Bonuses & Awards
Fight of the Night: Renan Barão vs. T.J. Dillashaw — $50,000 to each fighter.
Performance Night: T.J. Dillashaw + Mitch Clarke — $50,000 each. Dillashaw received $100,000 in total bonuses.
Records & Milestones
Dillashaw was the first non-WEC graduate to win a UFC title in any weight class between flyweight and lightweight. He had competed on The Ultimate Fighter Season 14.
Barão’s unbeaten streak of 33 consecutive MMA fights ended. He had gone unbeaten since his professional debut.
Largest upset odds in a UFC title fight at the time — Dillashaw was +765 betting underdog; Barão was -1000 favourite.'),
Legacy & Impact
Dillashaw’s performance at UFC 173 is widely cited as the sport’s clearest example of style defeating pedigree and record. Barão had won 33 consecutive fights. Dillashaw had his best win over Mike Easton. What transpired in the octagon was not close; Dillashaw appeared faster, more accurate, and more composed across all five rounds. The result required observers to reframe everything they thought they understood about the BW division’s hierarchy.'),
FAQ
Why did UFC 173's main event change three times?
The NSAC banned TRT, removing Vitor Belfort from the originally planned Weidman-Belfort title fight. Lyoto Machida agreed to replace Belfort, but Weidman then suffered a knee injury. Raphael Assuncao declined the replacement fight on a rib injury. Barao was matched with Dillashaw.
How big an underdog was Dillashaw at UFC 173?
Dillashaw was listed as high as +765 by some sportsbooks. Barao was a -1000 favourite.
What happened to Renan Barao's unbeaten streak at UFC 173?
Barao had gone 33 consecutive fights without a loss, dating to his professional debut. Dillashaw dominated him for five rounds and finished him with a head kick and punches in round five.
What did Joe Rogan say after Dillashaw won at UFC 173?
Rogan told Dillashaw in the post-fight interview: 'That was the greatest performance I have ever seen in my life. You surpassed all expectations tonight. This was stunning. This was incredible. This is the most spectacular performance I have ever seen.'
Did Dillashaw and Barao have a rematch?
Yes, eventually. An immediate rematch was set for UFC 177 in August 2014, but Barao collapsed attempting to make weight and was hospitalised. Dillashaw fought Joe Soto instead. The rematch eventually took place at UFC on Fox 16 in July 2015, where Dillashaw won again by TKO.
References
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