(This story appears in today’s edition of USA TODAY .) LAS VEGAS – Oddsmakers believe T.J. Dillashaw has approximately a 15 percent chance of becoming the first man in nearly a decade to beat UFC bantamweight titleholder Renan Barao. That assessment means nothing to the man known in his inner circle as “Lieutenant Dan.” “I’ve just got to go in there and believe that the fighter I am can beat Renan Barao,” Dillashaw told USA TODAY Sports and MMAjunkie. “Obviously, I have to be prepared for what he’s going to throw at me, but I can’t overthink what he’s going to do because then I’m getting thrown off my game plan. “Urijah Faber believes that I’m a good enough fighter to beat Renan Barao any day in the gym. If he shows up to our gym, Urijah thinks I’d beat Renan, so I’ve just got to go out there and believe in myself and bring it.
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‘Dan’ the man? T.J. Dillashaw believes he has Barao’s number at UFC 173 – MMA Junkie