According to a report, the UFC has finalized the rematch between T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt, with the 135-pound title on the line.
For the past few months, since he won back the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 217 last November, T.J. Dillashaw has been heavily campaigning for a super-fight against flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. Dillashaw was willing to move down with the hopes of facing the current top pound-for-pound fighter.
“Mighty Mouse” also fancied the idea, but unfortunately for the both of them, company president Dana White shut down the idea late last month. Instead, the UFC has apparently opted to push through with Dillashaw facing former champion Cody Garbrandt in a rematch at UFC 227.
Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com first reported the news via a tweet he posted on Wednesday.
Dillashaw/Garbrandt 2 booked for UFC 227 on Aug. 4 at Staples Center, according to sources. https://t.co/z27FSgToU3 pic.twitter.com/Z57p4AZxAw
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 4, 2018
Dillashaw has always been against the idea of facing his former teammate in a rematch since he feels “No Love” needs to earn his shot at the title.
“I lost a split decision to Dominick Cruz when I lost my belt, the UFC told me they thought I won that fight, and it still took me two years to get back to it,” Dillashaw said while revealing that he turned down the first Garbrandt rematch offer at UFC 222 in early March. “I had to wait through Cody’s back injury last year, all of TUF bullsh-t. I told the UFC I’m not doing it.”
UFC 227 is scheduled to take place on August 4th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.