Raphael Assuncao upset he'll likely have to wait for bantamweight title shot
Raphael Assuncao is not a happy guy right about now.
Thought to be next in line for a UFC bantamweight title shot, Assuncao is probably going to have to wait some more. UFC president Dana White said over the weekend that new champion T.J. Dillashaw will likely have a rematch with the man he beat last month, Renan Barao, next.
Assuncao told UFC Tonight's Ariel Helwani that he is not happy with that decision and he makes a good point. Assuncao beat Dillashaw last year by split decision in a bout that should have helped earned him an opportunity at the title. Then he beat Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision at UFC 170 in February. But the Brazilian injured his rib and Dillashaw took his place against Barao at UFC 173 on May 24, winning in shocking fashion by fifth-round TKO.
"Honestly, I know rematches are always nice, but me beating the champion of my weight class in a competitive fight is nice, too," Assuncao told Helwani. "Dana is my boss whatever he decides respectfully that's what it will be."
Assuncao (21-4) has won six in a row and might have to win a seventh to earn another crack at Dillashaw. A title rematch between Dillashaw and Barao is probable for some time in the fall, which means Assuncao, 31, might have to wait until 2015. Dillashaw believes he truly won the fight and the judges made a bad decision, but the fact remains that Assuncano was the winner.
"I thought it could have been my fight, my chance at the title," Assuncao said. "I also would have helped selling and promoting the fight as much as I could to make people want to see it."
