UFC
Champ T.J. Dillashaw says Renan Barao is "too big" and "too slow" for bantamweight division
Jan 22, 2015 - 4:55:42 PM Champ T.J. Dillashaw says Renan Barao is "too big" and "too slow" for bantamweight division

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"[Renan Barao] missing weight [at UFC 177] was completely unprofessional. I think he's too big for the weight class in general. I think he's too slow for the weight class. I'm going to prove that again. He feels like a step behind. Gagnon could've won the fight if he wouldn't have gassed himself out. Gagnon looked faster than him. I feel like it's just going to take a toll on him with how much weight he's cutting and how long his camp is going to have to be for cutting weight. For me, I don't have to start cutting weight until a week out.

I'm going to make a statement in this fight. Get this guy behind me and put him on the backburner. I'm tired of hearing this guy's name. I feel that I'm just his kryptonite and I'm going to demolish him. I can't wait to show everyone. He talked a little crap after his fight, so I'm going to give him an ass-whooping, man. I'm going to bring it to him. It's going to be a lot faster of a finish than the first time. I'm not going to wait around to the fifth round to put him away."

-T.J. Dillashaw talks to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour and criticizes his next opponent, Renan Barao, on his failed weight cut into UFC 177 and his performance against Mitch Gagnon in December.

Penick's Analysis: Dillashaw's in a position say whatever he wants about Barao at this stage. Barao has thrown his own comments out at him already, and given the way the first fight went, Dillashaw's words pack more weight. If he follows through in this rematch with an even more dominant win, he'll effectively end Barao's time as a title contender at bantamweight, and could push him out of the division entirely. That would back up these comments about Barao's speed and size in the division as well. Regardless, while it's not the best fight for Dillashaw entirely, it's a chance for him to put a stamp on the title he won last year.