UFC 186: Dillashaw vs. Barao 2 official, 7 new bouts announced for the card
The UFC is returning to Montreal this April with a stacked card for pay-per-view with bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw leading the way as he takes on former 135-pound king Renan Barao in a rematch from their first bout in 2014.
UFC officials announced on Saturday that UFC 186 would be headlined by Dillashaw vs. Barao 2 while also confirming a slew of other fights that would help decorate the promotion's return to Canada.
Dillashaw faces Barao after the two fighters first met in May 2014, which saw a changing of the guard in the bantamweight division. Dillashaw walked into the fight as a massive underdog, but an early knockdown and three more rounds of absolutely decimating Barao proved the former Ultimate Fighter finalist was more than up to the challenge.
Dillashaw finally finished Barao in the fifth round to secure his place as bantamweight champion. The two fighters were originally set to rematch last August, but a last minute weight cutting disaster forced Barao out of the fight.
Now they are ready to do it again as Dillashaw looks to cement his spot as champion and Barao tries to avenge the first loss he suffered in over 30 professional fights.
Also confirmed for the UFC 186 card on April 25 is a previously rumored welterweight fight between Rory MacDonald and Hector Lombard. Both fighters are ranked in the top five of the division and the winner of this fight could very well end up as the No. 1 contender in the welterweight division with a chance to face champion Robbie Lawler later this year.
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson will officially make his return to the UFC in April when he squares off with heavy-handed Brazilian Fabio Maldonado. Jackson left the UFC almost two years ago to explore other options in his fight career, but the former light heavyweight champion soured on his deal with Bellator in late 2014 and chose to return to the fold where he hopes to close out his career.
Jackson has always been a fan of stand-up wars and he'll certainly get his wish facing Maldonado, who is known for a boxing heavy attack and a chin of steel to absorb damage.
Middleweight veteran Michael Bisping will also be back in action in Montreal as he takes on C.B. Dollaway in a battle of top 10 fighters at 185-pounds. Bisping and Dollaway are coming off disappointing losses in recent fights so a win in April is paramount for both men if they want to stay relevant in a growing middleweight contender's race.
In addition to those four bouts the other fights confirmed for UFC 186 in Montreal include:
Patrick Cote vs. Joe Riggs
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. David Michaud
Jessica Rakoczy vs. Valerie Letourneau
UFC 186 goes down from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Saturday, April 25 with tickets on sale February 14.
