Dominick Cruz Beats TJ Dillashaw Win Bantamweight Title

This is the UFC Fight Night 81 live blog for T.J. Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz, a bantamweight bout at Sunday night's UFC event at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass. Dillashaw tried to land a huge kick, but it did minimal damage and his momentum made him land on the mat. Cruz scored the first big punch with around two minutes remaining. Cruz tried to take down Dillashaw, but he quickly got out of it and landed some forceful strikes in the final minute. Both men opened throwing high kicks that didn’t land. Dillashaw aggressively pushed his way in, avoiding punches from Cruz who was throwing as he retreated. Cruz landed a big right hand. Dillashaw kept swining but Cruz kept avoiding. Dillashaw went for a head kick that missed and fell but was allowed to get up because Cruz was back-pedaling. Dillashaw walked backwards inviting Cruz in. Dillashaw landed an inside leg kick. Cruz landed a big left hand as he pushed forward. On a second attack he caught a right hand from Dillashaw who kept coming and landed a right head kick. Dillashaw followed with a right hand. Dillashaw went for the right hand but Cruz ducked and got the take down. Dillashaw landed a brutal kick to Cruz, who started bleeding from the mouth soon after. Cruz however scored another takedown, although Dillashaw got out of it once again without too much damage done. Dillashaw connected on another kick to the face with under a minute left, but Cruz came back fast with some big punches of his own. Dillashaw opened with a kick that missed again. Dillashaw continued to target Cruz’s left leg with low kicks, targetting the thigh. Dillashaw landed a kick to the left side of Cruz’s body. Dillashaw landed a big right hand. Dillashaw landed a big left leg kick. Dillashaw landed another kick to Cruz’s left side of his body. Dillashaw went for a kick and Cruz grabbed his leg and followed with some combinations that Dillashaw did well to defend as he escaped the threat. Dillashaw landed a hard kick to the leg and it looked like Cruz was switching stances to protect that leg. Dillashaw landed another leg kick as Cruz came in for a combination. Cruz came in swigning wildly and it was Dillashaw avoiding and making Cruz look like he was throwing recklessly. Cruz came in with a huge combination to push Dillashaw back. Dillashaw went with another low leg kick to Cruz’s left leg. Cruz went for a takedown but Dillashaw stuffed it.