Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Even when T.J. Dillashaw does return, Henry Cejudo wants no business with him.
You can count out a potential rematch between Henry Cejudo and T.J. Dillashaw when the former bantamweight champion returns in 2021.
Cejudo (15-2) fought Dillashaw (16-4) back in January 2019, when Cejudo knocked him out in just 32-seconds to defend his UFC flyweight title. After the fight, Dillashaw tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) and was suspended for two years by USADA. The former 135-pound champion said he “sold his soul to the devil” by using the drug.
Talking recently during a media day for his upcoming title fight at UFC 249 against Dominick Cruz, Cejudo said he feels “embarrassed” and “dirty” talking about Dillashaw.
“People will never know until you are cheated on, man. It’s an honor to fight somebody in the Octagon. I don’t know, I feel embarrassed, I feel dirty even talking about T.J., you know what I’m saying? I don’t think there is anything in my heart that I even want to fight that dude, I really don’t,” Cejudo said at UFC 249 media day. “You shake hands with somebody and go out there and compete and next thing you know, he’s on some s**t, like EPOs where you can’t get tired, the same thing Lance Amstrong was on.” (Transcription via BJPenn.com)
Since his fight against Dillashaw, Cejudo has moved up to 135-pounds and won the title that Dillashaw relinquished against Marlon Moraes last June. “The Messenger” will attempt to defend his bantamweight belt for the first time this weekend against Cruz.
“I don’t even think I ever want to fight that dude ever again. I truly mean that he has to get his mind right, he’s got to be fair,” he continued. “He has got to go through the line, who knows how long he’s been doing this for. It’s unfortunate, but that’s just what I feel deep inside. I don’t even know if I could stand next to him and do a staredown. It’s false. I feel weird saying all those bad things.”