Movement and Angles
Dillashaw’s stand-up has simply risen to an all-new level under the tutelage of striking coach Duane “Bang” Ludwig.
At UFC 173, Dillashaw used a high-movement style that always stayed one step ahead of Barao to blast him with an endless torrent of precise power shots that essentially rendered him useless. He moved in and out of the pocket with ease, making his crisp, accurate strikes look effortless as he battered Barao’s face for five rounds.
His footwork, angles, and conditioning were off the charts, and it’s far from certain that Barao has been able to formulate a flawless gameplan to defeat Dillashaw in the three short months since their first fight.
Barao will have to bring something truly special in the striking arena if he wants the rematch to play out differently than their inaugural meeting.
