The smart money is on TJ Dillashaw becoming UFC bantamweight champion again.
Dillashaw is set to challenge incumbent titleholder Cody Garbrandt at a date to be determined later this year, and according to lines published by ESPN (provided by Nick Kalikas of MMAOddsBreaker.com), Dillashaw has opened as the favorite at -130.
This will be the 25-year-old Garbrandt's first title defense after unseating the previously indomitable Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 this past December. "No Love" was a considerable underdog heading into that contest, something that he's dealt with more than once as he's built up his 11-0 professional record.
"Garbrandt put on the performance of a lifetime in dethroning Cruz, but Dillashaw has been nothing but impressive since losing a razor thin decision to Cruz one year ago," Kalikas said. "Dillashaw is the more high-profile fighter, so I'll be opening him as a -130 favorite, but don't count Garbrandt out, as he's thrived as an underdog three times in the UFC already."
Since losing in the finals of "The Ultimate Fighter 14," Dillashaw has gone on a 10-2 run with his only losses coming by way of split decision. Dillashaw picked up unanimous decision wins in his past two contests over top-five bantamweights John Lineker and Raphael Assuncao.
Garbrandt and Dillashaw are coaching against one another on the upcoming season of TUF and they are expected to fight when the series finishes airing.
