Dillashaw on Cruz vs. Garbrandt: ‘It’s a mockery of the sport’

T.J. Dillashaw is furious at the UFC’s decision to book Dominick Cruz vs. Cody Garbrandt.

Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw is not a happy man. The 30-year-old has done everything in his power to secure a rematch with Dominick Cruz but the UFC have selected Cody Garbrandt as the next 135-pound title challenger.

Cruz vs. Garbrandt will take place at UFC 207 and Dillashaw thinks it’s a fight that ruins the sport’s reputation.

“It’s a mockery – it’s a mockery of the sport,” Dillashaw told FanSided in a recent interview. “The sport should be about the best guys on the planet (fighting each other). What’s the point of having rankings (if they don’t factor into matchups)?”

The 30-year-old believes Conor McGregor is responsible for the UFC’s revamped matchmaking process but doesn’t blame the Irishman personally.

“More power to the guys that can get away with making tons of money talking trash like Conor McGregor — he’s smart, he’s doing a good job — but it’s unfortunate what it’s doing to the rest of the sport. I want this shit to be real; not about the sideshow promotion.”

Dillashaw, who beat Raphael Assuncao earlier this year to secure his spot as the No. 1 ranked bantamweight contender, doesn’t blame Garbrandt either.

‘No Love’ has emerged as one of the UFC’s finest prospects and has developed a reputation as the division’s knockout artist. The Team Alpha Male fighter has been gunning for Cruz since his first-round KO of Thomas Almeida at UFC Fight Night 88 and has developed a healthy rivalry with the current champion.

Dillashaw, a former teammate of Garbrandt, blames both the UFC and Cruz for putting the matchup together.

“Nothing against Cody Garbrandt; it’s not his fault,” Dillashaw said. “All of us should be pushing for the title — that’s the ultimate goal — but I blame Dominick Cruz and the UFC for letting this happen. I really don’t understand why the UFC is letting Dominick Cruz pick the fights he wants.”

To make matters worse, Dillashaw has also suffered a nasty cut in training and could be out of action for the foreseeable future.

T.J. Dillashaw appears to have just suffered a pretty nasty cut above his eye in training, per his Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/vYZAcu6GQe

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) October 29, 2016

UFC 207, which features Cruz vs. Garbrandt on the main card, takes place on December 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

T.J. Dillashaw is furious at the UFC’s decision to book Dominick Cruz vs. Cody Garbrandt.

Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw is not a happy man. The 30-year-old has done everything in his power to secure a rematch with Dominick Cruz but the UFC have selected Cody Garbrandt as the next 135-pound title challenger.

Cruz vs. Garbrandt will take place at UFC 207 and Dillashaw thinks it’s a fight that ruins the sport’s reputation.

“It’s a mockery – it’s a mockery of the sport,” Dillashaw told FanSided in a recent interview. “The sport should be about the best guys on the planet (fighting each other). What’s the point of having rankings (if they don’t factor into matchups)?”

The 30-year-old believes Conor McGregor is responsible for the UFC’s revamped matchmaking process but doesn’t blame the Irishman personally.

“More power to the guys that can get away with making tons of money talking trash like Conor McGregor — he’s smart, he’s doing a good job — but it’s unfortunate what it’s doing to the rest of the sport. I want this shit to be real; not about the sideshow promotion.”

Dillashaw, who beat Raphael Assuncao earlier this year to secure his spot as the No. 1 ranked bantamweight contender, doesn’t blame Garbrandt either.

‘No Love’ has emerged as one of the UFC’s finest prospects and has developed a reputation as the division’s knockout artist. The Team Alpha Male fighter has been gunning for Cruz since his first-round KO of Thomas Almeida at UFC Fight Night 88 and has developed a healthy rivalry with the current champion.

Dillashaw, a former teammate of Garbrandt, blames both the UFC and Cruz for putting the matchup together.

“Nothing against Cody Garbrandt; it’s not his fault,” Dillashaw said. “All of us should be pushing for the title — that’s the ultimate goal — but I blame Dominick Cruz and the UFC for letting this happen. I really don’t understand why the UFC is letting Dominick Cruz pick the fights he wants.”

To make matters worse, Dillashaw has also suffered a nasty cut in training and could be out of action for the foreseeable future.

UFC 207, which features Cruz vs. Garbrandt on the main card, takes place on December 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.