TJ Dillashaw claimed the next shot at the bantamweight title. Following Sterling’s successful title defense against Petr Yan, Sterling called out Dillashaw.
Dillashaw returned to the sport after a lengthy break due to PED use. Dillashaw was suspended for two years for EPO prior to his octagon return.
TJ Dillashaw first returned back in July of 2021 when he won a split decision against Cory Sandhagen. He’s a significant factor for the division especially considering that Henry Cejudo retired and struggled with the comeback.
Aljamain Sterling last lost in 2017 when he was knocked out by the recently retired Marlon Moraes. Since then he’s been steadily raising the bar – bar that lackluster duel with Petr Yan he was losing until Yan got disqualified.
“If anyone’s mentally weak, it’s that guy. The guy needed ster-ids. … I can’t wait to punch him in the face.”
Dillashaw told Schaub on the Schaub Show:
“That’s just what’s up next. I mean, you can’t go and call me out like that and then try to run from it. So, it’ definitely gonna be happening. I’m the right man for the job, it’s just about figuring out when now.”
Dillashaw previously exchanged barbs with Dominick Cruz. Cruz has been salty about TJ Dillashaw getting the title shot ahead of him saying.
.“Sounds like a hook-up to me. He got two years off, didn’t really lose any money and then just gets right back up in [the title picture]. It’s not like he had an easy fight; [Cory] Sandhagen’s no joke. But still, one fight? Pedro Munhoz and all these other people that are in the division that have just been competing, competing, competing, it’s crazy. ”
Dillashaw answered these accusations in his own interview.
“He sounds like a salty c*nt, to be honest,” Dillashaw said via MMA Junkie. “I just think he’s obviously jealous of me being able to stay in the top, you know – my layoff and how long I’ve been in the sport and me still be able to come back and prove that I’m still the best. And I did lose money, right? Me not fighting for two years while being a champion is a lot of money out of my pocket.