BOSTON — Muling napasakamay ni Dominick Cruz ang UFC bantamweight title matapos talunin ang dating kampeong si T.J. Dillashaw via split decision kahapon sa TD Garden.
Nakahugot si Cruz (21-1) ng mga iskor na 48-47 at 49-46, habang tumanggap ng 49-46 si Dillashaw (13-3) sa kanilang five-round bout.
Napuwersang isuko ang UFC bantamweight crown bunga ng ilang serye ng knee injuries, muling lumaban si Cruz sa unang pagkakataon matapos noong 2014 at ikalawa sapul noong 2011.
Ginawa naman ni Dillashaw ang kanyang pangatlong sunod na title defense para sa bantamweight belt.
“There’s no such thing as rust,” sabi ni Cruz ng San Diego, California. “Rust is only something you get when you don’t train hard. I’ve seen fighters do what T.J. does, but he’s faster.”
Pinatumba ni Cruz si Dillashaw ng Denver at ginamit ang kanyang footwork para kontrolin ang kanilang distansya.
“I’m very disappointed,” wika ni Dillashaw. “I felt like I was the aggressor and landed the bigger shots. I’m not a fan of his antics, but congratulations to him.”
Sa co-main event, binigo ni Eddie Alvarez (27-4) si dating lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (18-4) sa isang three-round fight.
Sa iba pang laban, pinigil naman ni heavyweight contender Travis Browne (18-3-1) si dating NFL player Matt Mitrione (9-5) sa third round, habang umiskor si lightweight Francisco Trinaldo (17-4) ng three-round unanimous decision laban kay Ross Pearson (20-10).