Tag: TJ Dillashaw

TJ Dillashaw vs. Cory Sandhagen Set For May 8

TJ DillashawFormer UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has been booked in a five-round main event for one of the more highly anticipated returns to the Octagon in recent memory. We have not seen Dillashaw (16-4) step in the cage since January of 2019 where he suffered a first round knockout loss to then flyweight champion Henry […]

TJ Dillashaw

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has been booked in a five-round main event for one of the more highly anticipated returns to the Octagon in recent memory.

We have not seen Dillashaw (16-4) step in the cage since January of 2019 where he suffered a first round knockout loss to then flyweight champion Henry Cejudo in his bid to become a two-division champion.

Following the loss it was revealed that Dillashaw had tested positive for EPO and he was thus suspended for 2 years and stripped of his bantamweight world title.

Now finally eligible to return, the former champ in Dillashaw has booked his comeback fight against one of the top bantamweight contenders in Cory Sandhagen according to ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto who announced the news on social media.

“TJ Dillashaw is back … Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) vs. the surging Cory Sandhagen (@cors_life) has been agreed to for the date of May 8. Five-round main event, per sources.”

This is almost certainly a number one contender’s bout with the winner presumably set to face the winner of Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan 2. The return of the former champ in Dillashaw is guaranteed to bring some fireworks to an already stacked Bantamweight division.

How does Dillashaw vs Sandhagen play out? Will Dillashaw reclaim the gold he once had?

Dillashaw vs. Sandhagen & Garbrandt vs. Font Set For May UFC Events

A pair of massive bantamweight bouts have been added to May UFC Fight Night cards, with T.J. Dillashaw making his return against Cory Sandhagen and Cody “No Love” Garbrandt facing Rob Font. ESPN broke the big bantamweight news late Thursday night about…

A pair of massive bantamweight bouts have been added to May UFC Fight Night cards, with T.J. Dillashaw making his return against Cory Sandhagen and Cody “No Love” Garbrandt facing Rob Font. ESPN broke the big bantamweight news late Thursday night about Dillashaw’s return after a two-year USADA suspension for EPO. Cory Sandhagen argued that […]

Aljamain Sterling And TJ Dillashaw Exchange Verbal Jabs Following UFC 259

Aljamain Sterling has been champion for less than a day and is already being targeted by the former champion. The nature in which Aljamain Sterling won his bantamweight title was less than ideal. A longtime staple in the UFC 135 pound division, Sterlin…

Aljamain Sterling has been champion for less than a day and is already being targeted by the former champion. The nature in which Aljamain Sterling won his bantamweight title was less than ideal. A longtime staple in the UFC 135 pound division, Sterling, has spent years working his way up to a title shot. Because […]

Cory Sandhagen Confirms TJ Dillashaw Fight Talks: ‘I Am Really Excited’

Cory SandhagenIt’s starting to look like top bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen, will be the man to welcome TJ Dillashaw back to the Octagon. Dillashaw hasn’t fought since falling short in his flyweight title bid in January 2019. The former 135lb king was knocked out by Henry Cejudo inside one minute over two years ago. Since then, […]

Cory Sandhagen

It’s starting to look like top bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen, will be the man to welcome TJ Dillashaw back to the Octagon.

Dillashaw hasn’t fought since falling short in his flyweight title bid in January 2019.

The former 135lb king was knocked out by Henry Cejudo inside one minute over two years ago.

Since then, Dillashaw has served a two-year drug suspension stemming from a positive test for EPO following his fight against ‘Triple C

During a recent interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC President Dana White revealed that he is working on a number one contender fight for Dillashaw, he said.

“We’re working on something for TJ right now that would line him up. The winner of that fight would fight for the title next.”

Sandhagen seemed the clear choice considering the fact he is in terrific form. The 28-year-old has scored back-to-back highlight-reel knockouts against former title challenger Marlon Moraes and former lightweight king Frankie Edgar.

During the UFC weigh-in show, Sandhagen confirmed that he was the man being lined up to fight Dillashaw, he said.

“Yes, if I am allowed to say it. The fight has been brought up to me and hopefully we will be fighting pretty soon. I hope this is the case. I definitely think I am the guy right now and I almost feel like T.J. should be really grateful to be fighting for a No. 1 contender spot after his suspension.

“I am glad that it’s me and I am really excited for that fight and looking forward to it,” Sandhagen added. (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

Do you want to see Cory Sandhagen vs. TJ Dillashaw?

Dana White: TJ Dillashaw Will Have #1-Contender Fight Upon Return

Answers are finally beginning to come in about what is in store for TJ Dillashaw when he makes his return to the Octagon following a two-year USADA suspension. It’s been two years since TJ Dillashaw last competed in the UFC. In that contest, Dillashaw …

Answers are finally beginning to come in about what is in store for TJ Dillashaw when he makes his return to the Octagon following a two-year USADA suspension. It’s been two years since TJ Dillashaw last competed in the UFC. In that contest, Dillashaw had attempted to capture the flyweight championship from Henry Cejudo but […]

Petr Yan Wants T.J Dillashaw, Not Cory Sandhagen, After UFC 259 Win

Petr YanHe may have a title defense coming up this weekend, but Petr Yan is already looking towards the future. The bantamweight champion defends his title for the first time against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. At 7-0, Yan has yet to taste defeat in the UFC and expects that to continue this Saturday. In a […]

Petr Yan

He may have a title defense coming up this weekend, but Petr Yan is already looking towards the future.

The bantamweight champion defends his title for the first time against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. At 7-0, Yan has yet to taste defeat in the UFC and expects that to continue this Saturday. In a recent interview with Fanatics View, while he made sure to not overlook Sterling, he said he already has eyes on what’s next for him (H/T MMA Mania).

“If I win easy over Sterling, next fight has to be very big. Sandhagen, he lost to Sterling. I think maybe Dillashaw,” Yan said. “T.J. Dillashaw is back after doping tests and I want to fight him.”

Sandhagen has staked his claim to be the next title challenger following back-to-back knockouts over Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar, running his UFC record to 7-1. He has also been a vocal critic of Dillashaw getting a title shot upon his return, saying that decision would be “garbage”.

Dillashaw has recently been cleared to compete again following a two-year suspension from USADA for a failed drug test. Prior to his suspension, Dillashaw was the reigning bantamweight champion after winning and defending the title in a pair of fights against Cody Garbrandt. He has been adamant that he is worthy of an immediate title shot upon his return, but the UFC has yet to say what will happen after UFC 259.

Of course, before any future matchmaking can take place, Yan first has to get past a worthy challenger in Sterling. ‘The Funkmaster has won five in a row, including wins over Jimmie River and Pedro Munhoz, as well as dominating Sandhagen in fewer than 90 seconds. His unique style of wrestling and grappling has given his past opponents fits, and he believes Yan will be no different.

Do you think Petr Yan is overlooking Sterling? Who should he fight next if he wins?