Dillashaw takes unanimous decision in rematch with Assuncao

T.J. Dillashaw fought like a man ready to be champion again.

The former bantamweight titleholder avenged an October 2013 loss to Raphael Assuncao by taking a commanding unanimous decision win at UFC 200 on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Dillashaw bounced back from a loss to Dominick Cruz in his last fight that cost him the 135-pound championship. His ninth win moves him into a tie with former friend and teammate Urijah Faber for the most in UFC bantamweight history.

Fighting for the first time in 644 days, Assuncao looked sharp, though tentative in the first round. He showed flashes of solid standup, but Dillashaw had the advantage in volume of strikes.

That advantage became more pronounced in the second and third rounds. Dillashaw started to connect with leg kicks down low and combinations up top, bloodying the nose of Assuncao.

Ring rust may have reared its ugly head in Round 3, as Assuncao seemed unable to pull the trigger with Dillashaw still sniping away at him.

Assuncao loses for the first time since being knocked out by Erik Koch on March 19, 2011. He had defeated his past seven opponents, including a split decision win over Dillashaw in their first meeting.