UFC 227 live blog: T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt 2

This is the UFC 227 live blog for T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt 2, a bantamweight championship rematch at Saturday’s UFC event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Dillashaw won the 135-pound title from Garbrandt via second-round KO at UFC 217 last November to begin his second reign as UFC champion.

Dillashaw, who has won three straight bouts, faces Garbrandt, who has picked up nine of his 10 pro victories by knockout, in the main event.

Check out the UFC 227 live blog below.

Round 1: Herb Dean on hand for the main event. Dillashaw opening up with a lot of lateral movement. Both men hesitant to overextend. It’s Garbrandt who gets inside first with a left hook. Kick to the body by Dillashaw, Garbrandt answers with one of his own. Right hand backs Dillashaw up, but Garbrandt ate a counter punch as he threw. Garbrandt points to the center of the cage. Inside leg kick for Dillashaw. Garbrandt with a left hook off of a caught kick and he follows up with more punches. They start trading and it’s Dillashaw who scores the knockdown. He pounces, but Garbrandt has a hold of his arm. Dillashaw lands more punches as Garbrandt tries to separate. They reset with 90 seconds to go. Right hand over the top scores for Dillashaw. Counter right and Garbrandt is wobbling. He drops to the mat and Dillashaw is landing several unanswered blows. Knee up the middle as Garbrandt is slumped against the cage, he won’t drop, but Dean has to step in for the stoppage.

Official result: T.J. Dillashaw def. Cody Garbrandt via TKO (strikes) at 4:10 of Round 1 to retain the UFC bantamweight championship