Cody Garbrandt Vs T.J. Dillashaw official for UFC 217

Bengaluru, August 17: Cody Garbrandt will defend his UFC bantamweight title against former champ T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 217 on November 4 at Madison Square Garden in New York, the UFC announced Wednesday (August 16) night.

Garbrandt had been pushing for the fight at MSG, but it was not made official until now. With that being confirmed the event gets the second title fight for the night.

The duo were scheduled to headline the UFC 213 last month in Las Vegas, but Garbrandt sustained a back injury and had to withdraw, which was then replaced by Nunes Vs Shevchenko also a casuality to late injury leading to an underwhelming card on the night.

Dillashaw was a teammate of Garbrandt at Team Alpha Male. A spell as coaches in The Ultimate Fighter (TUF: 25) earlier this year only added more spice to the fierce rivalry which dates back to years.

Former champ Dillashaw lost his title to Dominic Cruz back in January 2016, but has bounced back with crucial victories, the most recent win was vis unanimous decision over John Lineker at UFC 207.

In UFC 207, Garbrandt won the bantamweight title from Cruz by unanimous decision last December. The Team Alpha Male product has put together an incredible run in the UFC with six victories and four finishes in six fights. Garbrandt has been positioned by the promotion as a future of the UFC.

UFC 217 is headlined by a middleweight title fight between champion Michael Bisping and returning superstar Georges St-Pierre.