Aljamain Sterling and T.J. Dillashaw faced off in a highly anticipated UFC bantamweight championship fight on July 24, 2021. The fight marked Sterling’s first title defense after winning the championship in a controversial fashion earlier in the year. Dillashaw, on the other hand, was making his return to the octagon after a two-year suspension for doping violations.

In the first round, Sterling came out aggressively, but Dillashaw was able to land some effective strikes and takedown attempts. However, the round ended with Sterling landing a big knee that clearly rocked Dillashaw. In the second round, Dillashaw started to find his rhythm, landing a number of significant strikes and keeping Sterling on the defensive. Despite Sterling’s attempts to secure a takedown, Dillashaw was able to stuff the attempts and maintain control of the fight.

In the third round, Sterling deducted a point for an illegal knee to a downed opponent, which appeared to have been unintentional. The fight continued, with Dillashaw once again finding success with his striking and Sterling struggling to land significant offense. In the fourth round, Dillashaw was able to secure a takedown and maintain control for much of the round, landing some ground-and-pound in the process.

The fifth and final round saw Sterling desperately trying to secure a finish, but Dillashaw was able to weather the storm and maintain control. In the end, the judges awarded the fight to Sterling via unanimous decision, with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.

The win marked a successful title defense for Sterling, who had faced criticism for winning the championship via disqualification in his previous fight. For Dillashaw, the loss marked a disappointing return to the octagon after a lengthy suspension.

Despite the controversial ending to his previous fight, Sterling proved that he was a worthy champion with his performance against Dillashaw. The fight showcased his striking ability, grappling prowess, and toughness, as he was able to weather the storm of Dillashaw’s offense and secure the victory.

For Dillashaw, the fight was a reminder of his skills as a fighter but also highlighted the challenges of returning to the octagon after a lengthy layoff. Despite the loss, he showed that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level of the sport.

Overall, the fight between Sterling and Dillashaw was an exciting and closely contested battle that showcased the skills of two of the top bantamweights in the world. With both fighters still in their prime, it’s possible that we may see a rematch between these two talented athletes in the future.