TJ Dillashaw may have just put on the best performance of his career. A complete masterclass gave him a 30-26×3 victory over Brazilian knockout artist John Lineker. We’ve never seen Lineker dominated like that, TJ got the better of the striking, dominated the wrestling, and pounded Lineker from top posiiton.

Dillashaw looked contempt with striking when the fight first started, but it was all a ploy; after not too long striking, the former UFC Bantamweight Champion scored a fantastically timed takedown and remained on top for a while, landing hard shots to Lineker’s face. Lineker didn’t seem to mind though, as he took them all with a smile.

Second round was much of the same, a little bit of stand-up action before a perfectly timed and executed takedown. Lineker appeared frustrated at this point and tried to muscle his way out of bottom position, but it never worked. Dillashaw was absolutely smashing the Brazilian with elbows and punches, all the while Lineker was talking to him and smiling. If that’s not tough, I don’t know what is. The second round was completely one sided and was the 10-8 round.

Third round, and it was just about TJ staying composed, not straying away from the game plan and not getting caught with any shots. Once again TJ scored a takedown, and managed to hold Lineker down for the majority of the round. An attempt at a calf slicer even came at one point for TJ, and it looked tight. Lineker, well, he just ignored it, and managed to get out. The final thirty or so seconds was on the feet, and Lineker did land some shots. Mainly to the body, but they still hurt, it was clear to see one left hook in particular took the breath away from TJ, but he survived, and took a wide decision.

TJ’s record now improves to 14-3 and he is likely next in line for the title shot, while Lineker’s drops to 29-8.

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