The UFC’s third installment of its upcoming UFC on Fox Sports 1 series continues to be rounded out with the addition of TJ Dillashaw vs. Raphael Assuncao.
The announcement, reported by MMA Junkie, runs the card’s fight total to eight. UFC on Fox Sports 1 Brazil is set for September 4, so you can bet that that number will continue to grow over the next couple of weeks.
Dillashaw vs. Assuncao features a pair of streaking bantamweights who are forging some convincing cases for title contention. It’s difficult to argue that either guy is deserving of a championship tussle just yet, but whoever leaves the Jornalista Felipe Drumond Stadium a winner this fall will at least be in the conversation.
Since losing to John Dodson in his UFC debut, Dillashaw has strung together four consecutive victories, the last three of which have come via stoppage. The former Ultimate Fighter contestant has demonstrated considerable growth over the past year and a half, and looks to be a flag-bearer for the bantamweight division’s future.
Assuncao will also enter the match on a four-fight win streak, most recently submitting Vaughan Lee at UFC on Fuel 10. The Brazilian has long been considered a quality fighter, but his current win streak coincides with a drop from featherweight to bantamweight, and it seems he has really hit his stride at 135.
Between Dillashaw and Assuncao, there will be a lot of collective momentum in the Octagon. But, only one of them will carry that momentum forward.
At the very least, a win for either participant should mean a step up in competition. At the most, perhaps a title eliminator.
There is certainly a lot on the line in this one. Between the stakes and the level of performance the combatants have been turning in of late, this pairing looks to be a nice addition to the UFC on Fox 1 Brazil fight card.
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