Renan Barao's last-second hospitalization effectively threw T.J. Dillashaw into a lose-lose situation, but with the livelihood of UFC 177 hanging in the balance, the reigning UFC bantamweight champion made the best of what he had to work with, peppering a surprisingly game Joe Soto for four rounds before sealing his first title defense with a blistering final-frame high kick.

Soto faded late, an understandable blemish considering the UFC rookie only had 24 hours to prepare for Dillashaw's pace and the rigors of a five-round fight, but early on the contest was remarkably competitive, and a whole host of Soto's fellow pros were more than a little impressed with the gumption on display in the night's main event, as you can see from their running commentary below.

I smell the upset coming its been that kind of a year — Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) August 31, 2014

Soto needs to BRAWL — Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) August 31, 2014

Dillashaw handling pressure well. Moving, hitting, trying to capitalize but soto not going away and landing some strikes of his own #UFC177 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) August 31, 2014

Soto is really impressing me right now — ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) August 31, 2014

Does aren't all landing clean on soto the count is ridiculous in MO — Mitch Gagnon (@MitchGagnonUFC) August 31, 2014

Hey man I punch harder than this guy TJDillashaw!! He punch like a girl and got luck with @RenanBaraoUFC. Today Barao would kick his butt!!! — Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) August 31, 2014

Soto might deserve an immediate rematch — John Moraga (@chicanojohn) August 31, 2014

Dam my bad Soto I jinxed u. — John Moraga (@chicanojohn) August 31, 2014

Wow what a finish to the fight — ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) August 31, 2014

Dillashaw with a nasty head kick that turns soto backwards then crumbles him! 5th rd finish for TJ #ufc177 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) August 31, 2014

5th round stoppage by Dillashaw hats off to Soto. That head kick was amazing! #UFC177 — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) August 31, 2014

He Patiently Waited 4 that head kick-TJ Left soto an exit at the end of the boxing combo,then ended it with the kick-got it! #Timing #UFC — Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) August 31, 2014

Massive respect to soto. Did very well against the champion. Look forward to seeing him in the @ufc — jimi manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) August 31, 2014

Looked like a glorified sparring match but props to Joe soto and TJ #ufc177 keep it warm TJ I'm on my way! — Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) August 31, 2014

Absolutely nothing but respect for Joe Soto!!!!! — michael (@bisping) August 31, 2014

Can't wait to see what @JoeSoto135 does in the division! Great fight man! — ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) August 31, 2014

@JoeSoto135 great fight homie ! Keep grinding you gonna make noise — Sean Soriano (@ssorianoMMA) August 31, 2014

Joe Soto have my respect. He got a 24h notice fight and fought like a lion. — Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) August 31, 2014

This 135lb division will be mine again! I'm excited to be back in this mix. #UFC — Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) August 31, 2014

TONY FERGUSON VS. DANNY CASTILLO

Tony did all the work on the ground and Danny tried to just hold him down. — Dana White (@danawhite) August 31, 2014

I have to say I agree with judges decision, and I was rooting for Castillo — TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) August 31, 2014

@lastcall155 you owe no apologies! You put on a hell of a fight and left it all in the cage!! — ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) August 31, 2014

Did Castillo just imply he could rape Ferguson? Or am I trippin? — Kevin Lee (@MoTownPhenom) August 31, 2014

Keep your head high @lastcall155 . I thought you won that. Proud of you brotha. #UFC177 — Chris Holdsworth (@holdsworth135) August 31, 2014

Watching the #UFC177 I think Tony out worked and should win ! You can't win by stalling and running .... — JohnTheBull Makdessi (@JohnMakdessiMMA) August 31, 2014

Well the Sacramento crowd isn’t happy with ferguson getting the split decision win but the fight was close #ufc177 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) August 31, 2014

This sport will break your fucking heart. — Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) August 31, 2014

Tony was the better fighter either way IMO. But he gonna have to sneak out the back of that mfer — Kevin Lee (@MoTownPhenom) August 31, 2014

I 100% agree with @lastcall155 . Controlling a grown man¬ being able to do damage is a lot better than being controlled¬ doing damage. — Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) August 31, 2014

Shit!!! Didn't expect that!!!! — jimi manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) August 31, 2014

Goddamn that was entertaining ... Beautiful ground work — Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) August 31, 2014

BETHE CORREIA VS. SHAYNA BASZLER

Correia with some nice body punches. — robbie lawler (@Ruthless_RL) August 31, 2014

Why did Baszler just keep walking back to the fence for more punishment? Get off the cage! #UFC177 — Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) August 31, 2014

Dang talk about some solid striking!!! Gotta move away from the cage in there like that. @ufc #UFC177 — Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) August 31, 2014

How about that @bethecorreia ! I wonder if she'll get a shot @RondaRousey ?!? @ufc — LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) August 31, 2014

This fight is a good reminder to the world of how good @VenezuelanVixen is. If Bethe is #10 then VV should be in the top 5. — Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) August 31, 2014

CARLOS DIEGO FERREIRA VS. RAMSEY NIJEM

Oh shit!!! — Kevin Lee (@MoTownPhenom) August 31, 2014

lights out#UFC — Robert Whiteford (@Flyinjudoka) August 31, 2014

Damn that was a nice finish from Diego @ufc — FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) August 31, 2014

That ladies and gents is called a text book counter punch!! Good stuff!! Right hand to the chin... @ufc #sweetchinmusic #hegone #ufc177 — Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) August 31, 2014

Always proud of you @RamseyNijem everyone gets caught, we all know your gonna bounce back strong @ufc #UFC177 — Steven Siler (@Stevesiler) August 31, 2014

Hold the phone - A Brazilian with high level BJJ and striking that speaks decent English? #UFC177 — James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) August 31, 2014

Diego's English voice is deeper than his Brazilian voice. How odd — russell doane (@RussellDoane135) August 31, 2014

Didn't go my way but I've grown more for this fight. Nothing to be disappointed about excited to know I can only get better #ufc177 — Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) August 31, 2014

YANCY MEDEIROS VS. DAMON JACKSON

Holy SHIT that choke was CRAZY — Dana White (@danawhite) August 31, 2014

I have never seen that EVER — Dana White (@danawhite) August 31, 2014

That was a sick guillotine! Nice work @ymedeiros #UFC177 — Chris Holdsworth (@holdsworth135) August 31, 2014

@ymedeiros you're the man bro so happy for you — Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) August 31, 2014

UFC 177: Guillotine — James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) August 31, 2014

@ymedeiros awesome man!!!! 50k you got my vote PON.... Pay this man!!!! @ufc give this guys a Harley. Killing it! — Seth Baczynski (@Sethbmma) August 31, 2014

Wow that was dirty — ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) August 31, 2014

Yancy with a crazy choke that looked backwards and almost a crucifix but puts jackson to sleep. Cool submission and win #UFC177 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) August 31, 2014

Wild choke finish for Yancy. Had Damon doing the twitch dance afterwards. Ouch #UFC177 — Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) August 31, 2014

Congrats bratha! @ymedeiros I saw you trying to win the bet with that handstand kick lol yeee #teamhawaii — Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) August 31, 2014

Disappointed in the outcome but it was a great experience I'll be back with a full camp,better than ever. Thank you all for thesupport @ufc — Damon Jackson (@DamonTheLeech) August 31, 2014