In accepting a bout with Joe Soto on the shortest notice possible, T.J. Dillashaw risked his bantamweight championship—not a huge risk against a UFC newcomer but a risk nonetheless.
As expected, though, Dillashaw took care of business against Soto. In the UFC 177 main attraction, Dillashaw threw a tremendous volume of strikes and wore Soto down before finishing the unlikely challenger with a head kick and follow-up punches in the fifth round.
Now, Soto can look forward to a more reasonable climb up the 135-pound ladder. Dillashaw, meanwhile, should have tougher challenges coming his way.
Here are the matchups that should be next for Dillashaw, Soto and the rest of the UFC 177 competitors.