Tag: TJ Dillashaw

Sandhagen Calls For Open Scoring System After Loss To Dillashaw

Cory Sandhagen is a fan of the open scoring system in MMA and would like to utilize it going forward. There is a saying in fighting, that the fighters should never leave it in the judge’s hands. The thing is that many times in combat sports the fight does go the distance and the judge’s […]

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Cory Sandhagen is a fan of the open scoring system in MMA and would like to utilize it going forward.

There is a saying in fighting, that the fighters should never leave it in the judge’s hands. The thing is that many times in combat sports the fight does go the distance and the judge’s cards are the determining factor. Historically, those scores are kept secret until the end of the fight; however, some states are looking to change that.

Most recently Colorado has opted to move to an open scoring style of judging. What this means, in a nutshell, is that the scores of each round are available for everyone to see in real-time. The fighters, the fans, and the coaches will know exactly who is winning at any time.

This could be a benefit or a detriment to fighters depending on how they feel about the situation. It could change game plans going in and during the fight. One fighter who would gladly welcome this scoring is Cory Sandhagen. Sandhagen spoke about open scoring on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.

“I think open scoring would be good,” Sandhagen said. “I know I would’ve really loved open scoring in the last fight. I was kinda on the fence about it before, too. But I don’t see really what it would hurt. What would that hurt? In every other sport, you get to know the score at the end of the quarter. What would it hurt to do open scoring? I don’t see any damage that it would do. If anything, that would, I think, make for more exciting fights because round 3 and round 5, if the guy knows that he’s down, that could be a really huge advantage. And I think that it would be very fair.”

The Colorado native could get his wish if he gets the chance to fight at home. As of now, this scoring is not part of the MMA Unified Rules, but each state can make these scoring changes if wanted. The last time the UFC held an event in Colorado was back in Nov. of 2018 in Denver for UFC Fight Night 139.

Sandhagen may have to wait a while if he wants open scoring, but he won’t have to wait very long for his next chance at a UFC win. He steps back in the cage when he takes on Petr Yan for the interim UFC bantamweight title at UFC 267n on Oct. 30.

Do you like the idea of open scoring in MMA fights?

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TJ Dillashaw Shares When He Will Retire From MMA

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw reveals when he believes he will finally step away from combat sports. Dillashaw returned to the bantamweight division after a long layoff when he battled Cory Sandhagen in an explosive July main event. In the five-round war, Dillashaw found himself in trouble early. After spending too much time in […]

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Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw reveals when he believes he will finally step away from combat sports.

Dillashaw returned to the bantamweight division after a long layoff when he battled Cory Sandhagen in an explosive July main event. In the five-round war, Dillashaw found himself in trouble early. After spending too much time in a submission hold, the former 135-pound titleholder endured multiple tears in his knee. Luckily, his ACL was not torn during the scuffle.

Despite the early adversity, Dillashaw managed to secure some takedowns and earned the victory in one of the closest fights of the year. Following the contest, Dillashaw shared that he would be on the mend for the next three months.

In a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Dillashaw was asked if he would fight until he was 40-years-old. The California native shared when he might hang the gloves up and no longer compete in MMA. In addition, Dillashaw underlined that his financial security will keep him from overstaying his welcome in the fighting business.

“I don’t know. I mean, that’s what great. I don’t have to put a timeline on it, and I also don’t have to say that I have to fight till I’m 40 because I need the money. It’s all about how I feel, and what my career’s doing, and how I’m performing,” Dillashaw said.

“I guess my answer would be if I can’t say that I’m the best bantamweight in the world, the best whatever division I’m in, then I’ll retire. If I don’t have a true chance of becoming a champion, then what’s the point of chasing this? Especially when you don’t have to do it for the paycheck.”

With intentions of recapturing the bantamweight title, in the meantime, it’s safe to say the #2-ranked Dillashaw is not going anywhere. Dillashaw was unable to step in on short notice to face Petr Yan due to injury, so Cory Sandhagen will fight Yan instead. When the smoke clears after UFC 267, surely the former champion will be right on the precipice of challenging for gold once again.

Who do you think TJ Dillashaw should fight next?

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TJ Dillashaw Told He Will Fight For The Title Next, Would Consider Jose Aldo Fight

TJAs far as TJ Dillashaw is concerned, he’s fighting for the bantamweight title next. Dillashaw returned to action for the first time since January 2019 with a split decision win over Cory Sandhagen in July. However, it was a very close contest with many observers believing Sandhagen had done enough to get the win. That […]

TJ

As far as TJ Dillashaw is concerned, he’s fighting for the bantamweight title next.

Dillashaw returned to action for the first time since January 2019 with a split decision win over Cory Sandhagen in July. However, it was a very close contest with many observers believing Sandhagen had done enough to get the win.

That was especially the case with how much damage Dillashaw took as he is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery with Sandhagen stepping in to fight Petr Yan for the interim title at UFC 267.

With current champion Aljamain Sterling’s return schedule uncertain, it might be some time before Dillashaw fights for a title as he may have to fight another contender in the meantime.

However, he was told he was only fighting for the belt in his next outing. But that doesn’t mean he would rule out a mouthwatering clash with Jose Aldo in the future.

“From what I’ve been told, I’m fighting for the belt next, no matter what that belt is,” Dillashaw said. So that’s kinda where my mindset’s at right now. But sh*t, its Jose Aldo. Jose Aldo, to me, is an all-time legend. So it’s hard to think about not taking (that) fight if it’s offered to you. But I’m fighting for the belt next is what I’ve been told.”

For now, Aldo is taking on Rob Font on December 4.

But if the former featherweight king were to come out on top and look for a short layoff, the timing could work for a potential meeting with Dillashaw.

Would you like to see this fight? Who comes out on top?

TJ Dillashaw: “From What I’ve Been Told, I’m Fighting For The Belt Next”

Former two-time bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw believes he is next in line to fight for the 135-pound belt. Following a hiatus due to a suspension for illegal substances, TJ Dillashaw returned in a wild fight against the #2-ranked Cory Sandhagen. When bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling was forced out of his scheduled rematch with Petr Yan, […]

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Former two-time bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw believes he is next in line to fight for the 135-pound belt.

Following a hiatus due to a suspension for illegal substances, TJ Dillashaw returned in a wild fight against the #2-ranked Cory Sandhagen. When bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling was forced out of his scheduled rematch with Petr Yan, Sandhagen stepped in. Due to some torn ligaments in Dillashaw’s knee from the Sandhagen fight, he was unable to make the Oct. 30 date at UFC 267.

Speaking on The MMA Hour, Dillashaw addressed questions about his next appearance in the cage. In addition, he was asked if he would accept a fight with the #5-ranked legend, Jose Aldo.

“From what I’ve been told, I’m fighting for the belt next, no matter what that belt is. TJ Dillashaw said. So that’s kinda where my mindset’s at right now. But shit, its Jose Aldo. Jose Aldo, to me, is an all-time legend. So it’s hard to think about not taking (that) fight if it’s offered to you. But I’m fighting for the belt next is what I’ve been told.”

With the interim 135-pound strap up for grabs on Oct 30, Dillashaw’s statement raises some questions. TJ Dillashaw presumes he is next to fight for the title, but Sterling sits on the sidelines as champion still. Since “Funkmaster” was never stripped of his title, in the vast majority of circumstances, the incumbent champion is typically next to unify the two belts.

Granted, TJ Dillashaw isn’t convinced that Aljamain Sterling will return after such a major neck surgery. Regardless of what title it is, Dillashaw believes he will vie for gold much sooner than we might have expected.

Who do you think should be next in line for gold after the Petr Yan vs. Cory Sandhagen fight?

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TJ Dillashaw Thinks Aljamain Sterling Will Retire Following Neck Surgery

TJ DillashawFormer two-time UFC bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw thinks the man who is currently holding gold at 135lbs will retire without attempting to defend the belt. Aljamain Sterling picked up UFC gold back in March 2021 at UFC 259 after an illegal knee strike from Petr Yan left him unable to continue and the Russian was […]

TJ Dillashaw

Former two-time UFC bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw thinks the man who is currently holding gold at 135lbs will retire without attempting to defend the belt.

Aljamain Sterling picked up UFC gold back in March 2021 at UFC 259 after an illegal knee strike from Petr Yan left him unable to continue and the Russian was disqualified from the bout.

Prior to winning the belt, Sterling put together a five-fight streak to earn his shot at the streaking Russian fighter. The 32-year-old beat the likes of Cory Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz, and Jimmie Rivera on his way to the top.

Post-fight, Sterling underwent surgery on a neck issue. ‘The Funk Master’ was then booked to face off against Yan for the second time at UFC 267 on October 30 at the Etihad Arena. However, Sterling was still having lingering issues related to the surgery and withdrew from the fight. Yan will now face Cory Sandhagen for the interim bantamweight title later this month.

During a recent appearance on MMA Fighting’s MMA Hour, Dillashaw explained why he thinks we will see either Yan or Sandhagen upgraded to the undisputed champion in the near future.

“I don’t even know if Aljo’s ever going to come back to be honest,” Dillashaw said. “From what he had done, it’s kind of crazy. If I was him, I would have waited to get that done. My coaches, my strength and conditioning coach as well as my wrestling coach, sells the medical equipment that did his neck, don’t believe he’s ever going to come back.

“I think he’s just holding onto this belt as long as he can. I’ve had that feeling already so when he pulled out of the fight, I wasn’t surprised. I bet he’s dealing with nerve damage. I bet he’s dealing with a lot of stuff. You go get your neck cranked on with what he’s had done, it’s definitely not good. We’ll see. I could be completely wrong but I don’t know if he’s ever going to come back.”

Do you think TJ Dillashaw could be right? Will Aljamain Sterling retire without attempting to defend his bantamweight title?

O’Malley Has A Question For Dillashaw After “Too Many Holes” Comment

UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley doesn’t understand why TJ Dillashaw turned down the chance to meet him in a Submission Underground fight (SUG). O’Malley was last in action at UFC 264 in July. In the main card opener, “Suga” faced promotional newcomer Kris Moutinho. His original opponent, UFC veteran Louis Smolka, was forced to withdraw through […]

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UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley doesn’t understand why TJ Dillashaw turned down the chance to meet him in a Submission Underground fight (SUG).

O’Malley was last in action at UFC 264 in July. In the main card opener, “Suga” faced promotional newcomer Kris Moutinho. His original opponent, UFC veteran Louis Smolka, was forced to withdraw through injury.

Despite a gritty performance from the debutant, O’Malley delivered a record-breaking striking masterclass on his way to a third-round TKO finish. Having taken home a Fight of the Night bonus last time out, the 26-year-old will be looking to bag another $50,000 when he’s next in action. A recent tweet from Brian Kelleher suggests O’Malley will be facing “Boom” in December.

Kris Moutinho O'Malley
PHOTO: MMA FIGHTING

While he waits for confirmation of his next opponent, O’Malley still has one top-ranked bantamweight on his mind. Last month, “Suga” claimed TJ Dillashaw turned down a SUG fight against him ahead of the former UFC Bantamweight Champion’s return to action.

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, O’Malley discussed the failed booking. The surging 135-pound star revealed his surprise that Dillashaw turned down the chance for a tune-up fight before his return to the Octagon, especially after his recent comments suggesting that O’Malley has “holes” in his game.

“I got offered Dominick Cruz and TJ [Dillashaw].  I mean, they offered me a couple different people, but I’m not gonna go grapple some random-ass guys. It’s gonna obviously benefit me. So they offered me TJ and Dominick. And I said hell yeah to both those, and then Chael [Sonnen] said they both said never mind, or they said no. So I don’t know what really happened. Obviously, communication’s huge, and they could be getting lost, but yeah, they offered me TJ, and I said yeah.

“And then TJ says I have too many holes in my game. If I have holes in my game, why not go and choke me out real quick? And that was before he competed recently. That was a couple months before he competed. So I thought maybe he would want to get a little tune-up, easy choke on me. But I guess not,” said O’Malley.

After serving a two-year suspension following a positive test for EPO, Dillashaw made a successful comeback at UFC Vegas 32 in July. Showing his intentions, the 35-year-old returned against one of the best in the division. Opposite Cory Sandhagen, Dillashaw overcame early adversity in the form of a deep cut and a knee injury, and he went on to secure a tight split decision victory in the headlining bout.

Having jumped straight back into the 135-pound rankings at #2, the Californian is anticipating a shot at gold once he’s recovered from knee surgery in early 2022. He’s expected to face the victor of Aljamain Sterling’s championship rematch against Petr Yan at UFC 267 next month.

Who do you think would win a Submission Underground fight? Sean O’Malley or TJ Dillashaw?

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