TJ Dillashaw v Dominick Cruz predictions, tips, odds and free bets (UFC Boston - 17.1.2016)

Sunday, 17 January 2016 21:56
Written by Simon Bettarini

The UFC returns from a week off when they hold a Sunday show in Boston and TJ Dillashaw v Dominick Cruz is the marquee fight of the night. Who will win the UFC Bantamweight Championship? Don't miss our DILLASHAW v CRUZ betting preview, with free tips, predictions, enhanced odds, bookie bonuses and no deposit free bets on the fight!

DILLASHAW vs CRUZ: BETTING PREVIEW

TJ Dillashaw is on a five-fight win streak since he shocked the world when he knocked out Renan Barao in the fifth round to win the UFC Bantamweight Championship back in May 2014, at UFC 173. Using unpredictable movement patterns and a constantly shifting cadence, he was all over Barao, finding a clean head kick to close the deal. Then, he stopped the Brazilian in the rematch a year later, finishing Barao with unanswered punches in the fourth round proving that the first time wasn’t a fluke.

Dillashaw is very good at throwing accurate, measured shots on the move. He has a granite chin, he avoids damage very well and rarely sticks around long enough to take a clean shot. Plus, he has a strong but fluid wrestling ability and footwork.

Dominick Cruz, 30, has fought just once in four years due to multiple ACL tears and torn quadriceps. At the height of his career, he was the UFC bantamweight champion. Back in 2011 he battled old rival, Urijah Faber, over five rounds and walked out the undisputed UFC champion. He didn’t lose his UFC Bantamweight Championship to anyone as he was only stripped of the UFC bantamweight title due to injury two years ago. His last fight was in 2014 against Takeya Mizugaki when he showed no signs of ring rust as he destroyed his opponent in just 66 seconds.

Cruz is a genius at creating angles to pick apart his opponents. He’s also a very good wrestler, landing close to four takedowns per fight. When healthy, he has been virtually impossible to beat but it is very hard to predict his performance now as we have seen just 61 seconds of cage time in the past four years.