TJ Dillashaw says that he has taken away a lifelong lesson from his two-year USADA suspension for taking EPO. In one of the more high-profile USADA cases since the program began in the UFC, TJ Dillashaw was hit with a two-year suspension in 2019 after …
TJ Dillashaw says that he has taken away a lifelong lesson from his two-year USADA suspension for taking EPO. In one of the more high-profile USADA cases since the program began in the UFC, TJ Dillashaw was hit with a two-year suspension in 2019 after testing positive for EPO. Now that his suspension has ended, […]
Pedro Munhoz is hoping to get a big fight next time out and wants it to be against TJ Dillashaw. At UFC Vegas 20 on Saturday, Munhoz earned a hard-fought decision win over Jimmie Rivera. It was a great performance from the Brazilian and after the win, …
Pedro Munhoz is hoping to get a big fight next time out and wants it to be against TJ Dillashaw. At UFC Vegas 20 on Saturday, Munhoz earned a hard-fought decision win over Jimmie Rivera. It was a great performance from the Brazilian and after the win, Rivera called for a fight against T.J. Dillashaw. […]
UFC bantamweight TJ Dillashaw has made a prediction regarding the bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling. The champion Yan, will look to defend his title for the first time against the number one contender Sterling, at UFC 259 on March 6th. Dillashaw is fresh off of a two year USDA suspension for […]
UFC bantamweight TJ Dillashaw has made a prediction regarding the bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling.
The champion Yan, will look to defend his title for the first time against the number one contender Sterling, at UFC 259 on March 6th.
Dillashaw is fresh off of a two year USDA suspension for EPO in his last fight and has been on record as saying that he wants an immediate title shot against whoever wins the title fight.
“I think it’s a tough fight for Yan because of the style of the fighter,” Dillashaw said. “I think Yan’s the better, (more) well-rounded fighter. He’s got more of the skills and more aspects of fighting. But Sterling’s wrestling is very aggressive.”
“(Sterling’s) striking is real uncomfortable. He doesn’t really set anything up – he just kind of bombs kicks non-stop, kind of got that distance. But then he can grab a hold of you. He’s got great wrestling and his jiu-jitsu is amazing, too. I watched him take (Cory) Sandhagen out in 45 seconds. We watched him do a lot of great grappling in some of his fights. So I think it’ll be a tough fight because I do think Yan, maybe his biggest weakness is his wrestling.”
While Dillashaw does see how both fighters could win, he eventually says that he is leaning toward Yan as the victor.
“He lost in the past to a guy that’s in Bellator just by getting outwrestled, so we’ll see the gains he’s made in his MMA wrestling,” Dillashaw said of Yan. “I would still probably put my money on Yan just because he’s a little more well-rounded, structurally and on the feet. I think he’ll be able to keep the distance good enough. But you can’t underestimate a tough-nosed wrestler. So he can’t be counting his chickens before they hatch because he’s trying to call me out, but he’s got to get past Sterling and stay on top.”
Do you agree with TJ Dillashaw and his prediction for the Petr Yan/Aljamain Sterling fight?
TJ Dillashaw believes Petr Yan will beat Aljamain Sterling to defend his bantamweight title for the first time at UFC 259. In the first of three title fights on the card, Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling are finally set to fight. It’s a very intrig…
TJ Dillashaw believes Petr Yan will beat Aljamain Sterling to defend his bantamweight title for the first time at UFC 259. In the first of three title fights on the card, Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling are finally set to fight. It’s a very intriguing bout with many thinking Sterling is the better grappler while […]
TJ Dillashaw is certain his return fight will be for UFC gold. Former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is eligible to fight again after his two-year USADA suspension. When his suspension was over, many were wondering who he’d fight. He could ge…
TJ Dillashaw is certain his return fight will be for UFC gold. Former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is eligible to fight again after his two-year USADA suspension. When his suspension was over, many were wondering who he’d fight. He could get a title shot or perhaps face someone like Urijah Faber in a perfect return […]
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is hoping for an immediate title shot when he returns to fighting later this year. Dillashaw has just finished serving a two-year drug suspension stemming from a positive test for EPO following his failed flyweight title bid against Henry Cejudo in January 2019. Now he’s served his ban, Dillashaw […]
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is hoping for an immediate title shot when he returns to fighting later this year.
Dillashaw has just finished serving a two-year drug suspension stemming from a positive test for EPO following his failed flyweight title bid against Henry Cejudo in January 2019.
Now he’s served his ban, Dillashaw is ready to get straight back into big fights and speculation has been building about who he will face next.
“I’m ready to go straight for the belt, if that’s the opportunity that comes at me because I know Yan wants it.” Dillashaw told Mike Swick on the “Real Quick with Mike Swick” podcast. “He’s already been vocally talking about it and we’ll see what happens on March 6 when he fights Sterling. He’s got a tough test ahead of him, but that’s the fight he wants. I didn’t leave this sport by losing my belt. He knows there’s a lot of speculation if he’s the real champ because he hasn’t beaten the champion to get that belt, so he wants it. As well as that, I’m the biggest draw for him right now to try to fight.”
Dillashaw is hoping the fact he has been on the side-lines for so long will increase his chances of getting a immediate crack at current 135lb champ Petr Yan.
“Maybe he’s thinking me coming back for my first fight might be the best time to catch me as well, too. To try and catch me slipping. But I mean, that’s what I want. The ultimate goal for me is to be the champion. The greatest things come to you when you’re champion, the goal is to be champion, so why not get out there and get it done.”
If a title shot doesn’t come straight away Dillashaw says he’s expressed a willingness to fight anyone in the top five.
“I’m in a good situation,” Dillashaw said. “I think everyone in the top five has called me out. I want to come back and fight the best. I’m 35 years old now, I’ve got a lot of things in life going on, so I want to come back and prove that I’m the best bantamweight of all time, and I want to come back and fight the best. If that’s for the belt right away then so be it. If that’s fighting someone else in the top five, awesome.
“Every person that’s called me out, I’ve said yes to the UFC, so that’s just showing them that I’m eager to get back in there. So it doesn’t really matter as long as it’s someone that’s at the top of the game, because I’m gonna climb up and get that belt back fast.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)
UFC bantamweight TJ Dillashaw has made a prediction regarding the bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling. The champion Yan, will look to defend his title for the first time against the number one contender Sterling, at UFC 259 on March 6th. Dillashaw is fresh off of a two year USDA suspension for […]
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is hoping for an immediate title shot when he returns to fighting later this year. Dillashaw has just finished serving a two-year drug suspension stemming from a positive test for EPO following his failed flyweight title bid against Henry Cejudo in January 2019. Now he’s served his ban, Dillashaw […]