Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw will make his return to action opposite No. 2-ranked contender Cory Sandhagen at the promotion’s upcoming “Fight Night” event on May 8, airing on ESPN. and ESPN+.
A main event that may have gone to Sandhagen’s head.
“He’s become a little bit of a douche lately, talking that shit which he’s gotta do, that’s the name of the game, but I like Cory Sandhagen,” Dillashaw told ESPN. “I like all of his coaches, I like Elevation Fight Team, but that’s the business. We’re gonna get out there, we’re gonna handle it, and I’m gonna come back and get my belt.”
Sandhagen (14-2) has won nine of his last 10, including back-to-back knockout victories over Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar.
“I love this fight. He’s got a lot of hype behind him,” Dillashaw continued. “He’s has two good wins, people are blowing him up right now but it’s such a good fight for me to get right back on top, right where I left off. I’ll have the belt around my waist by the end of the year.”
Dillashaw (16-4) has been riding the pine for over two years after drawing a sizable suspension from United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). His last appearance resulted in a technical knockout loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC Fight Night 143.
The winner of Dillashaw vs. Sandhagen is expected to earn the next crack at the bantamweight crown, which is up for grabs in the pending rematch between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling.