Dillashaw takes belt from Barao, cashes +550 ‘dog tickets

Published on Monday, 5/26/14, at 4:18 p.m. Eastern.

By Brian Edwards

A star was born in Las Vegas on Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena. His name is T.J. Dillashaw, who became the new UFC bantamweight champion by destroying Renan Barao as a +550 underdog in the main event at UFC 173.

Dillashaw finished Barao in the fifth and final round by knockout. TJD won the striking battle 140-64 over Barao, who lost for the first time in nearly a decade.

Bettors taking Dillashaw to win by KO cashed an incredibly lucrative +1400 ticket. With the potential exception of Matt Serra’s stunning KO of Georges St. Pierre, it might be the biggest upset of a champion in UFC history.

The MGM sportsbook wrote 10 times as many tickets on TJD, yet still won with Barao backers losing the mega-chalk price of -900.

The MGM sportsbook wrote 10 times as many tickets on TJD, yet still won with Barao backers losing the mega-chalk price of -900.

And there was nothing fluky about it. Dillashaw repeatedly blasted Barao with punches and kicks, darting in and out with great quickness and timing. He floored the Brazilian with a huge right late in the opening round and nearly got the finish right there via strikes and a rear-naked choke attempt.

Barao never fully recovered from that punishing blow, though he fought hard and remained dangerous until clearly tiring in the third round.

For the rest of B.E.’s UFC 173 Rewind, check out this link at VegasInsider.com.

**Octagon Extras**

–What were the odds for the prop bet of Dillashaw to win in Round 5? 5Dimes had this wager at 70/1 odds. Congrats if you had it!

–BetOnline has released odds for Jon Jones’s rematch with Alexander Gustafsson:
Alexander Gustafsson vs Jon Jones odds - BestFightOdds

–In addition, a potential bout of Jones vs. Daniel Cormier has these numbers:
Daniel Cormier vs Jon Jones odds - BestFightOdds

–With Anderson Silva and Barao no longer wearing UFC hardward, the promotion’s only Brazilian champ is now Jose Aldo, who has to face a red-hot Chad Mendes soon.

Share this post: