TJ Dillashaw
Active 2011–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 90.0
Scouting report
Multi-directional footwork and stance-shifting combinations allowed T.J. Dillashaw to claim the undisputed UFC Bantamweight Championship twice, highlighted by a stoppage win over Renan Barao. Raised in Angels Camp, California, and trained by Duane Ludwig, Dillashaw built his bantamweight striking around disguised takedowns behind high-volume kickboxing. His output is captured by a 94 Cardio rating, 91 Boxing, and 90 Kickboxing, with a 90 Overall grade.
Peak ratings
By edition
Dillashaw upset the MMA world at UFC 173 in May 2014, stopping Renan Barao in round five to capture the UFC Bantamweight Championship, then stopped Joe Soto in round five at UFC 177 before stopping Barao again in round four at UFC on Fox 16 in Chicago. His stance switches, angles, and volume punching are reflected in a 91 Boxing and 94 Cardio.
After dropping a split decision to Dominick Cruz in January 2016, Dillashaw scored decision wins over Raphael Assuncao and John Lineker before knocking out rival Cody Garbrandt in round two at UFC 217 in Madison Square Garden to reclaim the bantamweight title. His wrestling fundamentals, head kicks, and power are captured in a 92 Boxing and 90 Wrestling.
Dillashaw extended his title reign at UFC 227 in August 2018 by knocking out Cody Garbrandt in the first round of their rematch in Los Angeles, before dropping a 32-second flyweight title challenge to Henry Cejudo in January 2019 in Brooklyn. His combinations, clinch strikes, and tactical adjustments anchor his 92 Boxing and 93 Fight IQ ratings in this era.
After a layoff of more than two years, Dillashaw returned to the Octagon in July 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw in Las Vegas, defeating Cory Sandhagen by split decision over five rounds. His conditioning, positional scrambling, and tactical wrestling justify his 90 Boxing and 92 Cardio ratings over twenty-five minutes of grueling action.
TJ Dillashaw and the footwork that carried two title reigns
TJ Dillashaw came out of Angels Camp, California, wrestled in college, and trained with Team Alpha Male before working with Duane Ludwig. He won the bantamweight title by stopping Renan Barao in 2014, lost it to Dominick Cruz in 2016, and won it back with a second-round stoppage of Cody Garbrandt in 2017. He stopped Garbrandt again in the first round of their 2018 rematch. His constant stance switching and movement made him hard to find.
What the Dillashaw ratings say
Boxing. One of the best on the card. Sharp combinations thrown from switching stances.
Kickboxing. Just as good. He used kicks to the body and head to keep opponents guessing.
Wrestling. A collegiate wrestler, and he still shoots and defends well.
BJJ. Above average and enough to stay safe, though he preferred to strike.
Strength. His lowest number. He is a slim bantamweight and does not rely on force.
Durability. Solid. He can take punishment but is not known for a granite chin.
Cardio. His best rating. Constant movement and a relentless pace for five rounds.
Fight IQ. Excellent. He adjusts within a fight and sets up finishing combinations well.
Cardio at 94 defines his game
Dillashaw moves nonstop, and the rating table reflects that with a 94 in Cardio. The pace he set against Barao and Garbrandt was the sort that opponents could not match. If you want a bantamweight to dominate a long simulation, his motor is the best thing about him.
Strength is the one gap
At 76, Strength is the only attribute below 80. He does not overpower anyone, and a bigger opponent who can smother him against the fence can neutralise his movement. Try to keep him away from that by fielding backup with good ring craft.
Keep exploring
Closest bantamweight profiles to TJ Dillashaw, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Petr Yanbest boxing 95 · weakest strength 78
- Dominick Cruzbest fight iq 98 · weakest strength 74
- Cory Sandhagenbest kickboxing 92 · weakest strength 74
- Jose Aldobest fight iq 94 · weakest strength 77
- Bantamweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Protecting your streak: a guide that fits TJ Dillashaw's strongest attribute, Cardio.
Draft TJ Dillashaw into your build
TJ Dillashaw enters the pool on any spin landing on bantamweight between 2014 and 2022. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how TJ Dillashaw is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of TJ Dillashaw's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.