T.J. Dillashaw will certainly return to the UFC later on this year after offering a two-year suspension due to a favorable medication examination for EPO, as well as the 35-year-old desires to redeem what he really feels is truly his: the bantamweight title.
Although Dillashaw hasn’t combated considering that his first-round TKO loss to then-flyweight champ Henry Cejudo in 2019– in a spell which he additionally evaluated favorable for EPO– the previous two-time bantamweight titleholder still feels he is worthy of an immediate title when he returns.
“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 informed Mike Swick on the “Real Quick with Mike Swick” podcast (h/t Mixed Martial Arts Junkie). “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.”
If the UFC thinks Dillashaw initially requires a tune-up fight, nevertheless, the Colorado citizen is open to fight anyone in the top five.
“I’m in a good situation,” he stated. “I assume every person in the top five has actually called me out. I desire to return as well as fight the very best. I’m 35 years of ages currently, I have actually obtained a great deal of points in life taking place, so I desire to return as well as show that I’m the very best bantamweight of perpetuity, as well as I desire to return as well as fight the very best. If that’s for the belt immediately after that so be it. If that’s battling another person in the top five, outstanding.
“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.”
While Dillashaw really did not discuss any type of names in the top five the Bang Ludwig item could, maybe, be stiring the fires for a future title remover withCory Sandhagen ‘The Sandman’ gets on a 2-fight KO touch as well as is determined he is worthy of the following title shot over Dillashaw.
“If it comes down to it, I think I should be the next one fighting for the title, but if we need to eliminate another option, which is T.J., then I’ll fight T.J., and then I’ll fight for the title, too.”