UFC Fight Night Boston Live: Dominick Cruz Beats TJ Dillashaw To Win Bantamweight Title

BOSTON — Get ready for an exciting Sunday night of UFC action from TD Garden.

UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw will defend his title against No. 1 contender Dominick Cruz, and former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will face Eddie Alvarez in the co-main events. The main event card on FOX Sports 1 will start around 10 p.m. ET, but we will have results from all the prior bouts here.

Be sure to check back here for a live blog of Dillashaw-Cruz with round-by-round analysis. You can watch a live stream of UFC Fight Night Boston here.

TJ Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz Live Round-By-Round Commentary
Pre-Fight: Dillashaw and Cruz are in the octagon. Who will leave with the UFC bantamweight championship around their waist? We’re about to find out.

Round 1: Dillashaw tried to land a huge kick, but it did minimal damage and his momentum made him land on the mat. Cruz scored the first big punch with around two minutes remaining. Cruz tried to take down Dillashaw, but he quickly got out of it and landed some forceful strikes in the final minute.

Round 2: Dillashaw again fell to the mat while trying to deliver a big blow. The champ appeared to do some damage afterward, though, and he finally landed a successful kick to the head. Cruz scored back-to-back takedowns near the one-minute mark.

Round 3: Dillashaw landed a brutal kick to Cruz, who started bleeding from the mouth soon after. Cruz, however, scored another takedown. Dillashaw connected on another kick to the face with under a minute left, but Cruz came back fast with some big punches of his own.

Round 4: Cruz is a takedown machine. He got the champ down on the mat again, even if it only lasted a few seconds. Cruz followed up with some impressive blows to Dillashaw. The champ got a takedown shortly thereafter, and it appeared he was trying to set up a submission. Dillashaw tried another high kick, but he fell to the mat for a third time. Cruz tried a takedown late in the round, and while that wasn’t successful, he landed a significant blow.

Round 5: Dillashaw connected on a brutal kick, but Cruz struck right back with rapid fire strikes of his own. Cruz used a spinning fist during the middle of the round, which got the crowd and Dillashaw’s attention. Both fighters got their blows in during the final few minutes, and it will be up to the judges to decide who won.

Decision: We have a new bantamweight champion. Cruz won by split decision (48-47, 46-49, 49-46) in an incredible closing bout.

Anthony Pettis vs. Eddie Alvarez Live Round-By-Round Commentary
Pre-Fight: Pettis and Alvarez have made their way to the octagon. It’s time for the lightweight co-main event.

Round 1: Alvarez scored the first takedown, and he had Pettis up against the cage for most of the round. Pettis got out of harm’s way with around 1:30 left, but Alvarez scored another takedown right near the cage. Pettis landed the biggest blow of the round with a kick right to Alvarez’s abdomen in the final minute.

Round 2: Pettis landed another big kick early in the round, and this time, it was right at Alvarez’s head. Alvarez had Pettis up against the cage once again, but not for long, as both fighters proceeded to trade blows in the center of the octagon. Pettis tried to set up a submission maneuver at one point, but Alvarez successfully fought it off.

Round 3: After spending a good portion of the first two rounds vertical or against the cage, Alvarez got Pettis down on the mat with two separate takedowns. But before that, Pettis landed another big kick. This one is going to a decision, and it’s anyone’s guess who the judges will pick.

Decision: Alvarez wins by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Main Card Fights (10 p.m. ET)
Dominick Cruz def. TJ Dillashaw by split decision (48-47, 46-49, 49-46)
Eddie Alvarez def. Anthony Pettis by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Travis Browne def. Matt Mitrione by TKO in Round 3 (4:09)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Ross Pearson by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

FOX Sports 1 Prelims (8 p.m. ET)
Patrick Cote def. Ben Saunders by TKO in Round 2 (1:14)
Ed Herman def. Tim Boetsch by TKO in Round 2 (1:39)
Chris Wade def. Mehdi Baghdad by submission in Round 1 (4:30, rear-naked choke)
Luke Sanders def. Maximo Blanco by submission in Round 1 (3:38, rear-naked choke)

UFC Fight Pass Early Prelims (6 p.m. ET)
Paul Felder def. Daron Cruickshank by submission in Round 3 (3:56, rear-naked choke)
Ilir Latifi def. Sean O’Connell by KO in Round 1 (:30)
Charles Rosa def. Kyle Bochniak by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Rob Font def. Joey Gomez by TKO in Round 2 (4:13)
Francimar Barroso def. Elvis Mutapcic by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Thumbnail photo via Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports Images