UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barao 2 betting preview

The UFC blows into the Windy City for UFC on Fox 16, headlined by a rematch between bantamweight title holder T.J. Dillashaw and challenger Renan Barão. These two battled at UFC 173 in May of last year, with Dillashaw scoring a huge upset TKO victory, and the subsequent rematch had since been postponed twice due to medical reasons. Now, they finally clash again inside the United Center this Saturday night. If you are thinking about betting on MMA take a look at the following breakdowns:

T.J. Dillashaw (-250) vs. Renan Barão (+190)
The motivation is there for Barão to erase that stunning loss to Dillashaw, which cost him his bantamweight championship. However, oddsmakers are weighing more on Dillashaw’s dominant performance versus Barão in that bout and the fact that he KO’d stand-in challenger Joe Soto in his first title defense at UFC 177 after Barão failed to make weight.

Barão did pick up a victory since dropping his strap to Dillashaw, submitting Mitch Gagnon at UFC Fight Night this past December. He may want to take this rematch to the mat as well, and avoid a slugfest with the heavy-handed champion.

Dillashaw had an answer for everything Barao tossed at him in their last bout, so the former title holder may want to keep distance with his lethal kicks and then find spots to put Dillashaw on his back. At this price tag, a warrior like Barao – who only has two career losses in 36 fights – could be a live underdog.

Miesha Tate (-210) vs. Jessica Eye (+160)
It seems like the highest goal for the UFC bantamweight women’s division is earning the chance to lose to Ronda Rousey. It’s a plateau Tate has already reached twice in her career, dropping her Strikeforce title to Rousey in March 2012 and losing to her again in the UFC back in December 2013. But here Tate sits, with an opportunity to have a third crack at the champ – if she can take out Eye Saturday night.

Tate has strung together three straight winners since that last loss to Rousey, all coming via decision. If Eye has her way, this bout won’t go to the judges’ cards. The brawler was devastating in her most recent effort, forcing a stoppage against Leslie Smith. Eye will want to stand and throw versus Tate, while the former champ will attempt to avoid any dangerous exchanges and win this fight on points.