Tag: T.J. Dillashaw

T.J. Dillashaw’s return vs. Cory Sandhagen rebooked for UFC Fight Night on July 24

After his comeback was initially delayed, T.J. Dillashaw is once again booked for his return to UFC competition vs. Cory Sandhagen.

After his comeback was initially delayed, [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] is once again booked for his return to UFC competition.

A former bantamweight champion, Dillashaw will headline UFC Fight Night on July 24 against surging 135-pound contender and former training partner [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag]. The event does not currently have an announced location or venue.

The matchup was original set for May 8, but Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) was forced to withdraw after he suffered a cut above his eye in training less than two weeks out, and Sandhagen (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) opted not to accept a replacement opponent.

Three people with knowledge of the matchup verified the booking to MMA Junkie on Tuesday but asked to remain anonymous because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

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Dillashaw, 35, recently completed a two-year U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspension stemming from a positive drug test for EPO in January 2019 – the testing timeframe of his first-round TKO loss in a flyweight title challenge against then-champion Henry Cejudo.

The fight in which Dillashaw tested was his first attempt at flyweight competition, and it came on the heels of a four-fight winning streak that included back-to-back TKO wins over rival Cody Garbrandt. His comeback will mark his first bout in 30 months.

As for Sandhagen, he’s been unblemished in his UFC tenure minus an 88-second loss to Aljamain Sterling last June. Since that defeat, Sandhagen has won back-to-back fights by knockout. In October, Sandhagen defeated Marlon Moraes by spinning wheel kick and punches before he earned a potential 2021 “Knockout of the Year” candidate with a brutal flying knee knockout of Frankie Edgar in February.

With the addition, the UFC’s July 24 lineup now includes:

  • T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cory Sandhagen
  • Maycee Barber vs. Miranda Maverick
  • Macy Chiasson vs. Aspen Ladd
  • Trevin Jones vs. Tony Kelley
  • Raphael Assuncao vs. Kyler Phillips
  • Mickey Gall vs. Jordan Williams
  • Randy Costa vs. Adrian Yanez
  • Ian Heinisch vs. Nassourdine Imavov
  • Julio Arce vs. Andre Ewell

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Facial cut forces T.J. Dillashaw from UFC comeback fight vs. Cory Sandhagen

The wait to see T.J. Dillashaw step back in the UFC octagon just got a little longer.

The wait to see [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] step back in the UFC octagon just got a little longer.

Dillashaw, a former two-time UFC bantamweight champion, was scheduled to meet [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] in the UFC on ESPN 24 headliner on May 8 in what would be his first bout since January 2019 following a two-year doping suspension.

Dillashaw suffered a cut above his eye in training that was subsequently infected. He was hopeful to compete, but did not receive clearance from doctors. Twitter user C. Contreras Legaspi was first to report Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) vs. Sandhagen (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) was in jeopardy.

The former UFC champ posted a statement on Tuesday announcing the news (via Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/p/COMJZiErZrK

I’m sad to say that I have to be pulled from my fight on May 8th due to a cut received from a head butt while drilling. Rescheduling the fight as soon as possible.

Dillashaw, 35, recently completed a two-year U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspension stemming from a positive drug test for EPO in January 2019 – the testing timeframe of his first-round TKO loss in a flyweight title challenge against then-champion Henry Cejudo.

The fight in which Dillashaw tested was his first attempt at flyweight competition, and it came on the heels of a four-fight winning streak that included back-to-back TKO wins over rival Cody Garbrandt.

As for Sandhagen, he’s been unblemished in his UFC tenure minus an 88-second loss to Aljamain Sterling in June 2020. Since that defeat, Sandhagen has won back-to-back fights by knockout. In October, Sandhagen defeated Marlon Moraes by spinning wheel kick and punches before he earned a potential 2021 “Knockout of the Year” candidate with a brutal flying knee knockout of Frankie Edgar in February.

According to a report from ESPN, a strawweight matchup between Michelle Waterson and Marina Rodriguez could serve as the new UFC on ESPN 24 headliner.

The UFC on ESPN 24 lineup now includes:

  • Cory Sandhagen vs. TBA
  • Donald Cerrone vs. Diego Sanchez
  • Zarrukh Adashev vs. Ryan Benoit
  • Maurice Greene vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
  • Christian Aguilera vs. Carlston Harris
  • Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jun Yong Park
  • Philipe Lins vs. Ben Rothwell
  • Angela Hill vs. Amanda Ribas
  • Neil Magny vs. Geoff Neal
  • Ludovit Klein vs. Mike Trizano
  • Kyle Daukaus vs. Phil Hawes
  • Diego Ferreira vs. Gregor Gillespie

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Cory Sandhagen ‘not gonna buy into’ T.J. Dillashaw being worse post-steroids suspension

Cory Sandhagen admits it’s hard to gauge which version of T.J. Dillashaw he’ll face, but he won’t risk underestimating him.

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] admits it’s hard to gauge which version of [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] he’ll get, but he won’t risk underestimating him.

Sandhagen (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) meets former two-time bantamweight champion Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ESPN 24 on May 8 in what is projected to be a No. 1 contender fight.

Dillashaw will return after serving a two-year U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspension for a positive EPO test in January 2019. During that time off, 35-year-old Dillashaw elected to undergo double shoulder surgery and will have been away from the cage for 28 months when he makes the walk in May.

But despite the long layoff and time away from training, Sandhagen says he can’t make the mistake of assuming that Dillashaw will be a lesser fighter than he was when he ruled the 135-pound division.

“The guy’s been out for two-and-a-half years almost now, so who knows what he’s been doing in that time?” Sandhagen told MMA Junkie. “I know that he had a couple of shoulder surgeries, which put him out for a little bit, and I know that I’ve been working really hard in those two years. I don’t really know what he’s been doing, but yeah, I suppose that’s probably the narrative that T.J. is probably gonna come back as a not-as-great version of T.J., but that’s just a narrative that I’m not gonna buy into. I’m gonna buy into the narrative which is gonna keep me safer, which is T.J. is gonna come back a better T.J.”

He continued, “If he was on EPO or whatever type of drugs he was on for his entire career and he’s off of them, then that’s 100 percent gonna play a factor. Am I banking on that? Absolutely not. But if that is the case, which I have no idea if that’s the case or not, then, yeah, he’s probably not gonna be coming back the same guy.”

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Though he may not know which version of Dillashaw he’ll get, Sandhagen is certainly familiar with him. The pair were training partners years ago when Dillashaw left Team Alpha Male for Team Elevation and have spent a significant amount of time with each other on the mats.

In recent interviews, Sandhagen commented on Dillashaw’s failed drug test, as well as some of their sparring sessions, which Dillashaw didn’t take too kindly too.

“I don’t really know what I said exactly that made him call me a douchebag,” Sandhagen said. “I mean, I definitely made a comment about the steroid usage, but yeah man, you shouldn’t be using steroids. I don’t think anyone is gonna be on board or on your side for that, whether we trained together or not. Then I said I was doing good against him when we were in sparring, which is also the truth, too. I guess sometimes saying the truth makes you a bit of a douchebag also. I can agree with that, but yeah. I don’t know. I’ll let as much bad blood as he wants to create, he can create on his own. To me, this thing is about winning a world championship. He’s in the way, and that’s about it.”

Since getting submitted by Aljamain Sterling in June, Sandhagen has completely turned a corner. He is coming off back-to-back highlight-reel knockouts over Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar and hopes he can continue showing off the new wrinkles in his game.

“I’m working on a lot of really cool stuff right now,” Sandhagen said. “I think my entire game, I don’t really know when it’s been happening, maybe it’s been during this quarantine time or maybe it’s just because of the really high-level guys that I’ve had to be fighting in the last year or two, but I think my game has really evolved. Certainly my mental game has evolved big time. I go in with a much better mindset, and I’ve really hammered down the performance part of fighting. It’s just a skill on it’s own, so I’m excited about all of those things, but I’m also excited about the technical things I’ve been working on.

“If the fight does last longer than 30 seconds than may last one then I think we’ll be able to see some really cool, new technical things that I’ve been working on that is different than a lot of the people that are doing it in the sport, and I like to be the guy coming up with all the new stuff, and I think that’s who I am. Hopefully I don’t get to show it because I knock him out really quickly, but if I do, then that’s cool with me too.”

https://youtu.be/YCS-KwgsfTA

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T.J. Dillashaw set for UFC return vs. Cory Sandhagen in May 8 headliner

After nearly 28 months away from the cage, T.J. Dillashaw will make the walk this May.

[autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] is set to make his return to UFC competition after nearly 28 months away from the cage.

A former bantamweight champion, Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) will headline UFC Fight Night on May 8 against surging 135-pound contender [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag]. The event does not currently have a publicly announced location or venue.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie on Thursday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. ESPN was the first to report the news.

Dillashaw, 35, recently completed a two-year U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspension stemming from a positive drug test for EPO in January 2019 – the testing timeframe of his first-round TKO loss in a flyweight title challenge against then-champion Henry Cejudo.

The fight in which Dillashaw tested was his first attempt at flyweight competition, and it came on the heels of a four-fight winning streak that included back-to-back TKO wins over rival Cody Garbrandt.

As for Sandhagen (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC), he’s been unblemished in his UFC tenure minus an 88-second loss to Aljamain Sterling last June. Since that defeat, Sandhagen has won back-to-back fights by knockout. In October, Sandhagen defeated Marlon Moraes by spinning wheel kick and punches before he earned a potential 2021 “Knockout of the Year” candidate with a brutal flying knee knockout of Frankie Edgar in February.

With the addition, the UFC’s May 8 lineup now includes:

  • T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cory Sandhagen
  • Donald Cerrone vs. Diego Sanchez
  • Zarrukh Adashev vs. Ryan Benoit
  • Julianna Pena vs. TBA
  • Maurice Greene vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
  • Christian Aguilera vs. Carlston Harris
  • Francisco Figueredo vs. Jimmy Flick
  • Roxanne Modafferi vs. Taila Santos
  • Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jun Yong Park
  • Damir Hadzovic vs. Nikolas Motta
  • Philipe Lins vs. Ben Rothwell

T.J. Dillashaw blasts ‘best actor’ Aljamain Sterling, ‘cheater’ Petr Yan after UFC 259 disqualification

T.J. Dillashaw laid it on thick in the aftermath of Aljamain Sterling’s title win over Petr Yan at UFC 259.

[autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] laid it on thick in the aftermath of [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]’s title win over [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] at UFC 259.

Sterling (20-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) was crowned the new bantamweight champion Saturday, but it came in an unexpected fashion. An illegal knee strike from Yan (15-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in the fourth round resulted in him being disqualified, and as a result the belt changed hands in the featured matchup at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Former titleholder Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) was watching the fight closely, and he was not impressed by the scene that unfolded. Dillashaw took to social media in the aftermath of the fight and had strong words for both men.

From Dillashaw’s vantage point at home, he thought Sterling played up the impact of the illegal knee, but criticized Yan for not following the rules (via Twitter):

And the Oscar goes to @fakemaster for Best Actor in a Title Fight and Petr Yan needs a crash course in the rules of the sport he was once champion in. Hey Petr now you’re a cheater too, bitch.

Dillashaw, who was recently cleared for a return to competition following a two-year doping suspension, got quit the rise out of his social media audience for his comments.

One person who caught wind of his statement was Sterling, who did not speak to the media post-fight after UFC 259 due to a precautionary visit, but has issued some statements online. One of those statements was a reply to Dillashaw that also came with a reminder (via Twitter):

You cheated your entire UFC career and you have the balls to call someone an actor? You lost your manhood when you decided to inject yourself so that you actually compete.
I hope Sandhagen tools like he did to you in practices before.

Dillashaw has made it known of late that, now that he’s cleared to fight, he wants an immediate title shot at 135 pounds. UFC president Dana White said prior to UFC 259 that he would need at least one win before that happens, and now that’s most definitely going to be the case with an immediate rematch between Sterling and Yan in the works.

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Pedro Munhoz wants to be return fight for former UFC champion T.J. Dillashaw

Bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz wants to welcome former champion T.J. Dillashaw back to the UFC after a two-year USADA suspension.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] is targeting a big name at 135 pounds.

The UFC bantamweight contender wants to take on former champion [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] following his win Saturday at UFC Fight Night 186. Munhoz (19-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) avenged his 2015 loss to Jimmie Rivera (23-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) with a unanimous decision on the main card. The win put Munhoz back in the win column after a controversial split decision loss to Frankie Edgar in August 2020.

Now, with a win under his belt, Munhoz wants to be Dillashaw’s return fight. The former champ is eligible to compete after serving a two-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

“I heard some rumors that T.J. Dillashaw is coming back,” Munhoz told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 186 post-fight news conference. “The possibility of fighting Marlon (Moraes) – it wont happen so soon. Besides training partners, we became friends. We wouldn’t fight unless it was for the title.

“We also have so many big names out there in the mix that I want to fight. I think a fight with T.J. Dillashaw would make sense. T.J. Dillashaw is coming back. I heard some stuff that he’s coming back. I have nothing against him. I’m nobody to judge him or whatever. If the UFC thinks that fight makes sense, I would be willing to fight him or anyone else.”

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Dillashaw’s USADA suspension ended in late January. He was suspended in January 2019 after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) in an in-competition test prior to his loss in a flyweight title fight against then-champion Henry Cejudo. Dillashaw relinquished his UFC 135-pound title with the suspension looming.

Munhoz, who’s ranked in the top 10 of the UFC’s official bantamweight rankings, has no problem with Dillashaw diving right into the top of the division. The Brazilian steered away from any criticism toward Dillashaw.

“I think (he should fight the best in his return). I’m not looking to point and judge him for anything,” Munhoz said. “When he got off from the game, he was the champion. So he’s coming back, I think they’re going to give him a big name or a big fight. I’ll be willing to fight anyone the UFC offers me.”

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T.J. Dillashaw picks Petr Yan to retain title against ‘tough-nosed’ Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259

T.J. Dillashaw offers his take on the upcoming UFC 259 title fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling.

[autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] doesn’t think the bantamweight title will change hands at UFC 259.

The former two-time UFC 135-pound champion will certainly have his eyes peeled at the upcoming title fight between champion [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] and [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] on March 6 while he gears up for his return.

Although he’s open to facing any top-ranked opponent in his first fight back, Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) has made it clear he has his sights set on regaining the title that was stripped from him when he served a two-year U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspension for EPO.

Dillashaw expects Yan (15-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) to retain his title, but doesn’t think it will be easy for him when he faces a submission specialist in Sterling (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC).

“I think it’s a tough fight for Yan because of the style of the fighter,” Dillashaw told Mike Swick on the “Real Quick with Mike Swick” podcast.  “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.”

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Yan’s lone loss in his pro MMA career came to Magomed Magomedov in 2016, when he was taken down a couple of times and was edged out in a split decision. However, Yan avenged that loss to capture the ACB bantamweight title in a unanimous decision win.

Despite the loss being almost five years ago, Dillashaw thinks wrestling could still be a chink in Yan’s armor that Sterling could potentially exploit. But Dillashaw still is leaning toward the champion.

“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. “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.”

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Returning T.J. Dillashaw wants title fight or top five opponent: ‘The ultimate goal is to be champion’

Former bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw is looking to pick up right where he left off and fight for the title in his return.

Despite his long layoff, [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] isn’t looking for a tune-up fight.

The former two-time UFC bantamweight champion is looking to pick up right where he left off and face the winner of the title fight between champion Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling, which takes place at UFC 259 on March 6.

Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC), who was stripped of his bantamweight title, is coming off a two-year USADA suspension for EPO and has been eligible to compete since January. Though he doesn’t have a fight booked yet, he’s happy to jump straight into a title fight on his return.

“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 said he hopes the fact he’s been out of action for so long will actually play in his favor and, if Yan retains his title on March 6, the former champion is hopeful that Yan will want to face him next.

“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 Dillashaw doesn’t get the title fight, he’s not short of options. With the likes of Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font both calling him out, the former champion said he’s willing to take out any top-ranked opponent to regain his throne.

“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.”

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Cory Sandhagen on title shot: T.J. Dillashaw cutting line would be ‘disrespectful to the sport’

Cory Sandhagen wants dibs on the winner of Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] has called next.

In the UFC Fight Night 184 co-main event Saturday, Sandhagen (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) toppled a former UFC lightweight champion, [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag], with a 28-second body-stiffening flying knee knockout.

At UFC 259 on March 6, UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] will make his first title defense against [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]. Sandhagen wants the winner. With his win over Edgar, Sandhagen thinks he’s done enough to claim dibs against whoever holds the belt on the morning of March 7.

“I think I’m better than Yan,” Sandhagen told MMA Junkie on Saturday. “If he wins, I want Yan. Same with Sterling, too, though. I’m a different animal. You guys have seen in the last two fights.”

Sandhagen’s only UFC loss was to Sterling at UFC 250, but Sandhagen believes his statement wins since show he’s a much improved fighter.

“I’m a different animal since that fight with Sterling,” he said. “I’m grateful that he got to teach me a lesson. But the next time we fight, I’m going to hurt Aljamain. I want to fight the winner of that fight in July or whenever they want really. But nah, man. I’ve got to be next for the title. There’s no one else even in the conversation, I don’t think – especially after a performance like that.”

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Sandhagen dismissed the possibility someone could step in front of him and claim the next 135-pound title shot after UFC 259 – especially former UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag], who is now eligible to compete again after he served a two-year suspension for EPO.

“I heard Yan doing an interview talking about how he wants to fight T.J. (Dillashaw) after. T.J. is coming off some of the most serious PEDs you can do in the sport,” Sandhagen said. “That seems disrespectful to the sport. I’ve been working. I’ve been working these last two years. I’m ready for the belt.”

As for the win against Edgar (24-9-1 MMA, 18-9-1 UFC), Team Elevation’s Sandhagen was proud of his performance. That said, Sandhagen doesn’t want to see anyone get seriously hurt in a fight, especially not a legend like Edgar.

“I’m glad it was him and not me,” Sandhagen told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference. “This isn’t a game. It doesn’t feel good to watch someone crawl up and be all dazed, especially when it’s Frankie Edgar, who everyone loves, including myself.”

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Despite his status near the top of the UFC 135-pound division, there’s still much Sandhagen has to learn. Through constant improvement, Sandhagen realized his ceiling is high.

“I don’t really think I still even know that much about this sport, to be honest with you,” Sandhagen said. “I think the better I get, the more I realize how not great I am in certain spots, which is a good thing because I know that comparatively, I’m much better than a lot of people. I always have a learner’s brain. I don’t think I’m anywhere near 100 percent. There’s so much to be learned in this sport. I don’t think it’ll ever end. That will never end.”

UFC Fight Night 184 took place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streamed on ESPN+.

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