T.J. Dillashaw-Raphael Assuncao Bantamweight Rematch Possible for UFC 200

Even with its headliner already booked, Dana White recently said the promotion wasn’t done adding fights to the UFC 200 lineup, and now that statement seems to be coming to fruition.

According to a report from UFC Tonight, a bantamweight rematch between T.J. Dillashaw and Raphael Assuncao is possible for the Las Vegas-based organization’s bicentennial event. The two men first met at UFC Fight Night “Maia vs. Shields” on Oct. 9, 2013, with Assuncao winning via split decision.

Dillashaw would go on to win his next four fights, capturing bantamweight gold in an upset win over Renan Barao at UFC 173 and defending the belt successfully against Joe Soto and Barao in a rematch. He relinquished the title to Dominick Cruz in a five-round split decision defeat at UFC Fight Night in Boston on Jan. 17.

Assuncao was the division’s No. 1 contender until injuries shelved him for the past year and a half. The 33-year-old Brazilian has won seven straight fights in the Octagon and last competed at UFC Fight Night “MacDonald vs. Saffiedine” in October 2014, when he took a unanimous decision over Bryan Caraway.

UFC 200 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a light heavyweight title rematch between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones. The card also includes a women’s bantamweight championship clash between Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes as well as an interim 145-pound title bout pitting Jose Aldo against Frankie Edgar.