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UFC 217: Rose Namajunas and T.J. Dillashaw claim world titles with stunning stoppages

UFC 217: Watch two champions brutally dethroned by challengers Dillashaw and Namajunas
T.J. Dillashaw reacts after defeating Cody Garbrandt (Picture: Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY)

All three of UFC 217’s champions were dethroned on Saturday night with Rose Namajunas and T.J. Dillashaw claiming world titles in New York.

Dillashaw reclaimed the title he lost to Dominick Cruz by stopping Cody Garbrandt in the second round of their ill-tempered championship showdown.

Michael Bisping was also stripped of his middleweight crown, but it was Namajunas who got the challenger party off the ground with a stunning performance against the previously undefeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

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UFC 217: Watch two champions brutally dethroned by challengers Dillashaw and Namajunas
(Picture: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Few people gave Namajunas a chance against one of the greatest fighters of all time, but the 25-year-old stunned the champion with an incredible first round stoppage.

Namajunas dropped Jedrzejczyk with a hard left hook and then continued to slam lefts into the side of the face of the downed champion.

All the titles changed hands last night at #UFC217

Rose Namajunas stops Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the first round pic.twitter.com/u9vvYmDfye

— Coral Barry (@Coral__Barry) November 5, 2017

It was the second knockdown for Namajunas as she demonstrated a striking ability that wowed the Madison Square Garden crowd.

‘It feels like a movie right now,’ Namajunas said in her post-fight interview.

‘There’s so much crap going on in the media and news, I just wanted to try to use my gift of martial arts to make the world a better place.

UFC 217: Watch two champions brutally dethroned by challengers Dillashaw and Namajunas
(Picture: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

‘This belt doesn’t mean anything. Just be a good person! That’s it. This is extra.

‘This is awesome but let’s just give each other hugs and be nice. I mean, I know we fight but this is entertainment.’

Jedrzejczyk was humble in defeat, but did not enjoy being compared to Ronda Rousey, with the suggestion she let her emotions get the better of her in the cage.

Dillashaw silenced his critics and chief hater Garbrandt by reclaiming the bantamweight title with a second-round stoppage.

It was a right hand that sent Garbrandt crashing and handed the 26-year-old the first defeat of his career.

The animosity between the two former team-mates refused to go away after the fight with Garbrandt getting up and squaring off with the new champion.

THERE’S A NEW KING AT 135 LBS!

TJ Dillashaw is the new bantamweight champion of the world! ?#UFC217pic.twitter.com/GFpQkwcVtZ

— #UFC217 (@btsportufc) November 5, 2017

UFC 217: Watch two champions brutally dethroned by challengers Dillashaw and Namajunas
(Picture: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Garbrandt accused Dillashaw of taking performance-enhancing drugs in the tense build-up and the new king said some of his trash talk was unforgivable.

He said: ‘I have not appreciated the accusations and crap talk.

‘He’s trying to diminish my name. That’s one I won’t forgive him for.’

UFC 217: Watch two champions brutally dethroned by challengers Dillashaw and Namajunas
(Picture: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
UFC 217: Watch two champions brutally dethroned by challengers Dillashaw and Namajunas
(Picture: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

He added: ‘I was portrayed as the villain this camp, I was the heel. You can’t get emotional about it.’

Dillashaw has now set his eyes on flyweight champion and the longest-reigning UFC king ever, Demetrious Johnson.

Garbrandt promised to come back stronger and Dillashaw said he expects his bitter rival to return.

UFC 217 Results

Georges St-Pierre def. Michael Bisping – Submission (rear-naked choke, R3)
T.J. Dillashaw def. Cody Garbrandt – KO (punches, R2)
Rose Namajunas def.Joanna Jędrzejczyk – TKO (punches, R1)
Stephen Thompson def. Jorge Masvidal- Decision – UD
Paulo Costa def.Johny Hendricks – TKO (punches, R2))

Preliminary Card
James Vick def. Joseph Duffy TKO (punches, R2)
Mark Godbeer def.Walt Harris – DQ (illegal head kick. R2)
Ovince Saint Preux def.Corey Anderson – KO (head kick, R3)
Randy Brown def.Mickey Gall – UD
Curtis Blaydes def. Oleksiy Oliynyk – TKO (R2)
Ricardo Ramos def. Aiemann Zahabi – KO (spinning back elbow, R3)

More: UFC

‘I’m going to see him again, he’ll be back,’ he said.

‘He’s got a big right hand and I got caught, you can’t condition your chin. I knew he was hurt, he was fast and getting out of the way. He holds his hands low and I tried to take advantage of it.

‘This is my belt. I’m coming after you Demetrious Johnson.’

MORE: Georges St-Pierre transported immediately to hospital after UFC 217 triumph

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