T.J. Dillashaw aspires to acquire 135-Pound GOAT status. He wants to regain the title of world champion bantamweight, which he believes he never really lost. In the co-main event of UFC 280, which takes place on October 22 in Abu Dhabi, the two-time UFC champion faces the current 135-pound champion, Aljamain Sterling.
This Is His Second Fight Back After A 2019 Drug Test Ban
After Dillashaw, this is his second fight back after serving a two-year USADA ban for a failed drug test in 2019. Dillashaw openly admitted to using the prohibited chemical EPO, therefore the UFC let him give up his championship.
Now ranked third in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, he returned to action in July 2021 and won a thrilling split decision against Cory Sandhagen in one of the year’s finest bouts.
The circumstances have led him to believe that Sterling now has the title that rightfully belongs to Dillashaw. “When I’m a champ again, it’s going to be awesome,” Dillashaw told ESPN. I’ve always been here.
My record in this division is perfect, and I’ve never been defeated. Although I was stripped of my clothing, I was never really naked. Since I was no longer present, people do not realize my previous level of dominance.
The truth was that I had stopped giving shows. It’s simply been so long since anyone’s paid attention to the bantamweight class, but I own a lot of records there.
I Must Remind Everyone Who’s Greatest
Therefore, I must remind everyone who the greatest is, who the best fighter is pound for pound, and that the 135-pound GOAT is in for a fight because I am coming for it.
Dillashaw has successfully defended the UFC bantamweight championship three times during two separate reigns, although he has also lost the belt once, against Dominick Cruz in January of 2016.
Dillashaw defeated Cody Garbrandt by knockout at UFC 217, ending any hope of a rematch between the two.
As UFC 280 approaches, the champion has thrown many verbal grenades in Dillashaw’s face, including a recent comment to MMA Fighting in which he said he anticipates Dillashaw would be “souped up” for the fight with Sterling.
Dillashaw credits his rivalry with Cruz for helping him remain calm throughout the buildup to their battle. I don’t carry a grudge into the ring with me,” Dillashaw said. Fighting is easier for me when I’m simply chilling out and having a good time.
I had a career-defining grudge bout with Dominick Cruz early on and realized that my fighting improved greatly after I let go. Everyone has their sweet spot when it comes to peak performance; for me, that’s flaunting my skills in public while enjoying myself.
He’s Already Making Excuses for My Upcoming Win
I suspect he’s already making up reasons why I’m going to defeat him and engaging in psychological warfare with himself, but it won’t work with me.
An important bantamweight match between Petr Yan, a former champion, and Sean O’Malley, a popular contender, is also included in the UFC 280 event.
The victor of that battle will be among the favorites to contend for a championship next, with names like Sandhagen, Merab Dvalishvili, and Marlon Vera waiting in the wings. While Dillashaw must first defeat Sterling before looking forward.
He is eager to add to his reputation by attempting a third championship defense. Dillashaw said, “It’s very wonderful to see what the weight class has done and how it’s progressed.” For as long as I can remember, this weight class has been one of the most fascinating to watch.
It’s a weight class that has always been fascinating because of the high intensity, high technique, and high volume of knockouts, and now we have the personalities to back it up. Once I regain possession of my belt, I will have a limitless number of potential attackers.
