Despite main event title challenger, Renan Barao, missing weight and pulling out, UFC 177 matches in Sacramento were rife with exciting action and finishes.

The main event of the night featured UFC bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw, taking on former Bellator MMA and Tachi Palace Fights champion, Joe Soto.

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Even before the fight, Soto made history as being the first and only fighter to debut in the UFC with a headlining title fight.

Critics and pundits looked at Soto's career and record, and while he did hold two belts, they counted him out and said that Dillashaw would walk over him.

That opinion changed when the fight started.

Dillashaw came in fast and strong, as is his style with Bang Muay Thai. Soto though did not shy away from the fight. Instead, he held his ground and picked his shots, capitalizing on opening's left open by Dillashaw's quick, crisp, and technical punches.

Throughout most the fight, Soto would land heavy jabs and overhand rights that caught Dillashaw flush on the face. They did not bring the champ down though.

For the better part of four rounds, Dillashaw outworked his opponent, landing strikes that nearly tripled Soto's output.

In the fourth, just as Dillashaw did in his fight with Barao, he caught Soto with a head kick that rocked the challenger. He landed one more left to bring Soto down until the referee called it off.

This was Dillashaw's first title defense. He received an additional US$50,000 for his performance of the night.

Yancy Madeiros also got a performance of the night bonus with his reverse guillotine choke.

Madeiros countered a takedown, by undefeated opponent Damon Jackson, with a guillotine. Just as Jackson looked to spin out of it, Madeiros grabbed hold mid-spin and applied pressure. Jackson was forced to tap but was still left unconscious because of the pressure.

The Fight of the Night honors went to Ramsay Nijem and Carlos Diego Ferreira.

Nijem seemed to be getting the better of Brazilian Ferreira, landing shots on the outside and keeping on his feet. However, just as Nijem was coming in with several straights, Ferreira brandished a retreating right hook to knock his opponent out.

A total of US$200,000 in bonus money was given out.

In other matches, Bethe Correira threw relentless shots at opponent Shayna Baszler while she was up against the cage until the referee stopped the fight.

This is the second of UFC women's bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey's, "Four Horsewomen" stable that Correira has disposed of. She is one step closer to challenging for Rousey's title.

The co-main event saw Tony Ferguson and Danny "Last Call" Castillo in action. The fight went everywhere - from the feet to the ground - and went for three rounds with Fergson picking up the split decision. 

TagsUFC, TJ Dillashaw, Joe Soto, Yancy Madeiros, Damon Jackson, Ramsay Nijem, Carlos Diego Ferreira, Bethe Correira, Shayna Baszler, Tony Ferguson, Danny Castillo