Brazil's Barao (34-1, 1 NC) is the owner of a remarkable 35 fight unbeaten streak that includes 22 straight wins. Winner of the interim bantamweight crown in 2012, the 27-year-old was elevated to undisputed champion in January, and he didn't skip a beat, halting Dillashaw's teammate, Urijah Faber, in a single round at UFC 169 in February.
Looking to separate Barao from his championship belt will be the 28-year-old Dillashaw, an ultra-talented contender currently ranked fifth in the world at 135 pounds. A TUF 14 finalist, Dillashaw has won five of his last six bouts, most recently winning a unanimous decision over Mike Easton in January.
Japanese contender Takeya Mizugaki, who was originally scheduled to face Dillashaw at UFC 173, will now face hard-hitting Francisco Rivera.