Tag: T.J. Dillashaw

Cody Garbrandt: T.J. Dillashaw’s son will always know ‘his dad was a cheater’

Cody Garbrandt cuts deep in speaking about his chief rival.

If you thought [autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag] has forgotten about his two losses to [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag], think again.

Garbrandt returned to the octagon for the first time in 15 months this past Saturday at UFC 250, snapping a three-fight losing streak with a devastating one-punch knockout of Raphael Assuncao in the second round of their co-main event.

Afterward, at the post-fight news conference, Garbrandt was feeling good about the statement he’d just made. When asked about a potential trilogy fight with Dillashaw, his former Team Alpha Male partner turned enemy, “No Love” didn’t hold back.

“That’s a fight I’d like to get back,” Garbrandt said. “We all knew what he was on. We all knew what he was doing. It took so many times for him to skate by USADA unfortunately. But, you know, he’s serving his sentence. He’s gonna always have to live with that the rest of his life. He has a child that has eyes on him, that knows his dad was a cheater.

“The whole world looked up to him, a lot of young kids. It’s sad. I kind of feel bad for the guy. He has no confidence, that he has to use those kind of aids to be a fighter.”

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Dillashaw won the bantamweight title from Garbrandt by second-round TKO in November 2017 at UFC 217. The following year at UFC 227, Dillashaw won the rematch by first-round TKO.

Dillashaw’s next move was a drop down to flyweight to challenge then champion Henry Cejudo, whom he lost to in just 32 seconds in January 2019. After the fight, it was revealed that Dillashaw tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO). He was issued a two-year suspension by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which he’s currently serving.

Dillashaw revealed to MMA Junkie in April that the UFC told him he would receive a title shot upon his return. Garbrandt, with his win Saturday, is looking to get back to the top of the division, and would welcome a trilogy.

“We’ll see. I’m gonna be at the world championship, I’m gonna be at the top, so if he works his way back up there, open door,” Garbrandt said. “Let’s get it.”

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Former champ T.J. Dillashaw picks Dominick Cruz to dethrone Henry Cejudo at UFC 249

Former UFC bantamweight champ T.J. Dillashaw breaks down UFC 249’s title fight between champ Henry Cejudo and Dominick Cruz.

Former bantamweight champion [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] has a vested interest in the co-main event title fight on May 9.

The bantamweight championship will be on the line at UFC 249 when champion [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] takes on ex-champ [autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag]. Having fought both guys before, Dillashaw gave his prediction for the fight, and is leaning towards the more established fighter for the win.

“I like the fight, I’m intrigued in it,” Dillashaw told TMZ. “But if I’m a betting man, I’d bet on Dominick Cruz. I think that his awkward fighting style is tough to deal with, not like it’s the super most technical, but he uses it to his advantage. He gets people to play his game and I think that he’s going to point-fight Cejudo and he’s going to outpoint him and he’s gonna win a decision. It’s really tough to prepare for Dominick Cruz because no one really matches his style, it’s very awkward.”

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Currently serving a two-year suspension due to testing positive for EPO,  Dillashaw will be eligible to return from Jan. 18, 2021, and when that time comes, he’ll be knocking on the door of whoever holds the belt at the time. There’s added motivation, too, with Dillashaw suffering defeats to both Cruz and Cejudo. As a result, he’d love nothing more than the opportunity to run things back with either one of them in a bid to reclaim the 135-pound title once again.

“I’m interested in it,” he explained. “Obviously I got some bad blood with both these guys, so I like the fight,” Dillashaw said. “Obviously either of them that wins, I’d love to get in there and get my title back from them, so I’m happy about the fight.”

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Henry Cejudo feels ‘dirty even talking about’ T.J. Dillashaw, rules out rematch

T.J. Dillashaw will have a tough time getting a UFC bantamweight title shot so long as Henry Cejudo has ownership of the division.

[autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] will have a tough time getting a UFC bantamweight title shot so long as [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] owns the division.

Cejudo (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who defends the 135-pound belt for the first time Saturday against Dominick Cruz in the UFC 249 co-headliner, was the last opponent that Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC) before being suspended from competition due to banned substances.

Dillashaw, then bantamweight champ, suffered a 32-second TKO defeat to Cejudo in a flyweight title bout at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January 2019. He tested positive for EPO, and as a result relinquished his title and was issued a two-year ban by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. With less than eight months to go on his suspension, Dillashaw recently told MMA Junkie he’s targeting a title fight upon his return, and claimed the UFC is on board.

Cejudo is clearly still bothered by Dillashaw’s attempt to use performance-enhancing substances leading up to their fight, though, and he said it’s going to be a long road before he gives the idea of a rematch any sort of realistic consideration.

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“People will never know until you’re cheated on,” Cejudo told reporters during Thursday’s UFC 249 virtual media day. “It’s an honor to fight somebody in the octagon. I almost feel embarrassed. I feel dirty even talking about T.J. I don’t think there’s anything in my heart that I even want to fight that dude. When you shake hands with somebody and you guys go out to compete and next thing you know he’s on some (expletive) like EPO where you can’t get tired, the same thing that Lance Armstrong was on, I don’t think I ever want to fight that dude again. I truly mean that.

“He’s got to get his mind right, he’s got to be fair. He’s got to go through the line, who knows how long he’s been doing this for. It’s unfortunate, but that’s just my honest to God – that’s just what I feel deep inside my ‘Triple C,’ what ‘Triple C’ feels deep inside. I don’t even know if I could stand next to him and do a staredown. It’s false. I feel weird saying all those bad things, but you’re asking me and I’m going to tell you how I feel.”

In Dillashaw’s mind, Cejudo’s opinion won’t matter much. He’s on record predicting that Cruz will pull the upset this weekend.

Cejudo remains the man running the show, though, and he can maintain that position with a win at UFC 249, which takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., with a main card on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

 

10 of the greatest UFC championship fight comebacks

From strawweight all the way to heavyweight, these are 10 of the greatest comebacks in UFC championship fight history.

There have been some remarkable performances in UFC championship bouts, but some fighters had to dig deep to get the job done.

Some of the greatest comebacks have come in title fights, whether from a defending champion or a title challenger who showed the heart of a champion to weather the storm and turn things around for the finish.

From strawweight up to heavyweight, here are 10 of the greatest comebacks in UFC championship fight history.

Without further ado …

****

Frank Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz – UFC 22
Sept. 24, 1999

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After defending his title three times, UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Frank Shamrock[/autotag] drew a young [autotag]Tito Ortiz[/autotag] at UFC 22. It proved to be one of the toughest battles of his career, as Ortiz really took it to Shamrock from the opening bell.

Ortiz dropped him with a straight right just seconds in, and the next 15 minutes would be a nightmare for Shamrock. Ortiz landed numerous takedowns, putting heavy pressure in top position, while landing brutal ground-and-pound.

In Round 4, Ortiz started to slow down. Shamrock pushed forward with hard leg kicks, but Ortiz capitalized on Shamrock’s forward pressure, landing another takedown. With less than a minute remaining in the round, Shamrock reversed position, unloading a barrage of punches on Ortiz who ducked under for a desperation takedown.

Shamrock used a mounted guillotine to get back up, dropping big hammer fists on Ortiz, who was holding onto his leg. A couple more shots and an exhausted Ortiz was unresponsive, prompting the referee to call the fight. Shamrock never gave up, throwing everything he had in the small windows he got throughout the fight, showing incredible heart.

Up next: Hughes delivers a moment for the ages

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MMA Junkie Radio #3041: Thoughts on UFC 249 latest, Cejudo-Garbrandt beef, more

“Gorgeous” George and “Goze” react to the latest MMA news and notes and brace themselves for an announcement on UFC 249.

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Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here!

On Episode No. 3,041 of the podcast, the fellas discuss the latest on UFC 249 and more of the most recent MMA news and notes.

THE RUNDOWN

  • As of the recording of Monday’s episode, it looks like a finalized version of UFC 249 could be released at any moment, with UFC president Dana White teasing an announcement of the card later today. ESPN reports the event is expected to take place somewhere on the West Coast and feature [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] in the new headliner after lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov withdrew last week because of Russia’s travel ban. Given all that’s happening with the coronavirus pandemic, will these fights even look normal? Plus, the guys also take a stab at where they think the show will take place.
  • Here’s a thought: Given all the big talk from White in recent weeks, does the UFC boss need to make sure he sits cageside to send a message to the fighters and his staff that he has their backs?
  • Former UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag] last week said he was planning on dropping down to flyweight, which for some reason current champ [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] decided to call him out. If you’re keeping track now, that’s yet another veteran coming off a loss and/or long layoff that Cejudo has called out. How much of what “Triple C” says should be taken seriously?
  • Ex-bantamweight champion [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] raised some eyebrows when he said that he’s been assured of a title shot by the UFC when he returns from his suspension for doping. Considering the circumstances, that can’t be right. Can it?
  • Given the stacked top of bantamweight, the guys break down where the division might be going.
  • [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] might be on the verge of breaking through in his career. The guys take a look at what could be on tap for the exciting and talented 170 pounder.

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio, or check it out above. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

Suspended T.J. Dillashaw reveals title shot assurances for UFC return

T.J. Dillashaw intends to fight for the bantamweight title in his return to the UFC from suspension.

[autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] intends to fight for the bantamweight title in his return to the UFC from suspension, assuming all goes according to plan.

Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) still has roughly eight months remaining in a two-year suspension issued by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency beginning in January 2019. The then-UFC bantamweight champ tested positive for banned substances around the time of a quick TKO loss to flyweight champ Henry Cejudo at that month’s UFC on ESPN+ 1.

The doping failure caused Dillashaw to relinquish the UFC’s 135-pound strap, and he’s been on the sidelines since. Dillashaw has taken ownership for his error and is now keen to get back to work once he’s cleared in January. Where does he fit into the scheme of the division? Dillashaw said he was told of a title fight for his comeback but understands there’s still a lot of time to go and the circumstances could change.

“I was told I would get that title fight when I came back, but that doesn’t mean anything,” Dillashaw told MMA Junkie. “I made a mistake – I don’t own rights to anything. But if it was my choice, it would be title fight, if not top-five to prove I should get that title fight. I think that makes sense.

“I’m hoping they just throw me to the dogs. If I can’t get that title fight, I want someone in the top five so that I can get my title fight. I’m not here to play around. I want my belt back. It’s still mine. I’ll be ready.”

Dillashaw has kept a relatively low profile since his suspension began, but he said the time away has been a period of self-improvement. The early months of being on the sidelines were dark and difficult, he said, especially when he was recovering from a pair of surgeries. Dillashaw said he’s come out the other end of it, though, and is very positive about where things currently stand.

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“At first it was super tough,” Dillashaw said. “Then I went through two shoulder surgeries back-to-back, so that kind of added to it. Down in the dumps. On the top of the world, then down as far to the bottom as you can get. It was tough. I’m not going to lie. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t. At first it was real, real tough. But I’ve always been mentally strong.

“I work my ass off and this has actually been – I wouldn’t choose to do this – but one of the best breaks I’ve had ever. I’ve got to focus on other parts of my life. I did something I highly regret and I’ve owned up to it and paid the price for it. I hate to say it’s a blessing in disguise, because I would never choose to do it again, but it is.”

Dillashaw said that 2019 was the “hardest year” of his life. Not only did he have to give up his UFC title and endure the embarrassment of being caught cheating, but he was relentlessly mocked by fellow fighters, who seemed to revel in his demise.

Those fighters don’t cause Dillashaw to lose any additional sleep, though, he said. It’s not easy to be put on blast, but in this situation, Dillashaw understands it’s deserved.

“It’s hard to hold grudges, because I did it,” Dillashaw said. “I made the mistake. I dirtied my name myself. It’s not on anybody else. I gave them fuel. It hurts, but that’s part of the payment – part of the payment for how I dirtied my name up. I’ve got to live with it now. Trying to hold onto those grudges, that’s like holding onto the past. I’ve already moved on. I’m ready to push for that next goal and getting my belt back.”

At 34, Dillashaw is not looking to waste time when he gets his career back on track. He has already won UFC gold twice before, and his intention is to do it again.

“Now I guess I get the opportunity to be a three-time champion, which is absurd,” Dillashaw said. “I don’t feel like I should’ve lost it the first time. I get to recapture it all over again. I get to go through this process a (expletive) third time.”

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The MMA Road Show with John Morgan, No. 262 – Las Vegas – Alexander Gustafsson, T.J. Dillashaw, Mike Afanasiev

“The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” No. 262 features Alexander Gustafsson, T.J. Dillashaw and UFC cutman Mike Afanasiev.

Episode No. 262 of “The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” podcast is now available for streaming and download.

MMA Junkie lead staff reporter John Morgan hosts the show while traveling the world to cover the sport.

UFC cutman and Las Vegas-area firefighter Mike Afanasiev joins John Morgan and Cold Coffee to talk about the ongoing effect of COVID-19 on MMA and the world as a whole. Along the way, hear Morgan’s interviews with new UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag] and former UFC champ [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag].

Check it out on iTunes or at themmaroadshow.com. You can also subscribe via RSS.

Petr Yan wants T.J. Dillashaw after ex-champ’s suspension: ‘On fight night, he’ll be clean’

Russian bantamweight contender Petr Yan says he would have no issue facing T.J. Dillashaw once he returns from his USADA ban.

[autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] has made no secret of his desire to challenge Henry Cejudo for the UFC bantmaweight title, but he has also revealed the identity of another significant name in the division with whom he would like to share the octagon in the future: [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag].

Former bantamweight champion Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) was banned for two years by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), more commonly known as EPO, on Jan. 18, 2019. He will be eligible to return to competition on Jan. 18, 2021, and Yan (14-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) says he would have no issue facing Dillashaw when he returns to the octagon.

“I’d be interested in this fight,” he told Russian outlet RT Sport. “Ever since I started my career, I’ve watched his fights. I like him as a fighter. I think he’s a competitive fighter, so I’d be glad to fight him in the future. And I think it will happen. It’s just about one year, and he’ll be back. He’s a big name. I think he’ll be back to the rankings when he comes back, so I think we’ll fight.”

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Dillashaw’s return from a doping suspension means the spotlight will be on the former champion when he makes his UFC comeback. That fact gives Yan confidence the American won’t reoffend if the pair ever agreed to face off.

“I don’t care,” he said. “He’s been caught, and he’s not denying it. But I don’t really care. He’ll be tested more carefully. So on fight night he’ll be clean.”

Yan also revealed his high-octane performances on the Russian scene prior to joining the UFC had led to accusations of doping being thrown his way. But he explained the USADA testing program wasn’t the first anti-doping testing he had been subjected to in his MMA career.

“There was a lot of talk,” he said. “Let’s take my second fight with Magomed Magomedov in ACB. After our first fight, people said, ‘How is he still fresh after five rounds?’ In the second fight, I was the same – fresh after five rounds. But I was more rational, and I knew that I had to give him a chance to work. But in our last fight, ACB checked me for doping, as well as in my title defense fight. Not too many people know about that. I haven’t spoken about it much.

“So if anyone is curious, I think if ACB had found anything, they would definitely have made it public. And then, ahead of my signing with the UFC, there were six to seven months when they couldn’t sign me because I tore my ACL and my manager told the UFC about it. They said, ‘When you heal up, when you’re ready, we’ll restart the dialogue with you.’ So many people (in Russia) – again, the same people who wanted (to say it) – said, ‘He’s cleaning up his doping.’ I was ready to accept a fight in a month or two or three. I wouldn’t want to hype it up. Plus, back then, I didn’t really have the resources. The media wasn’t paying much attention to me back then.

“During the period of a year and a half, I’ve been checked (by USADA) about 10 times. Almost every month,” he said. “I think that if they had found anything in my system, I wouldn’t be here now.”

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T.J. Dillashaw wants Floyd Mayweather boxing match upon UFC return

“I’ve got a whole year to reinvent myself.”

Add [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] to the mix of fighters who want to square off with Floyd Mayweather.

Speaking to ESPN on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show” two-time UFC bantamweight champion Dillashaw, who’s currently serving a two-year suspension after testing positive for EPO, said he’s not looking for any tune-up fights upon his return.

And with Mayweather announcing he will be coming out of retirement in 2020 with plans to work with UFC president Dana White, Dillashaw thinks he has enough time to prepare for a boxing match, considering that he will be eligible to compete again on Jan. 18, 2021.

“Mayweather wants a UFC star thats good at striking,” Dillashaw said. “I’ve got a whole year to reinvent myself to become a boxer. I’ve got the who’s-who in the boxing world. I can train with the Lomachenkos, Terence Crawfords – he ain’t going to be able to wear me out and finish me because of my cardio. I think that’s a very intriguing fight. I’d love to get that Mayweather fight, not even for the money – just for the fact of proving us UFC fighters (have) got what it takes to get in that ring.”

Dillashaw, who’s been seen training with boxing world champ Vasyl Lomachenko on numerous occasions, thinks he has the access to fully prepare for a boxing match, and is confident that he would do well.

“I think Conor McGregor did a great job of showing what we can do, and that our movements are awkward and that it’s tough for (boxers) to deal with, and I’ve seen it myself in the boxing world,” Dillashaw said. “I go and train out at Joel Diaz’s in Indio, (Calif.) I’m going to train with the Lomachenkos. I’ve seen Terence Crawford’s camp. I think that would be a super intriguing thing to get involved in, and I’ve got the time to do it.”

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Cody Garbrandt not buying ‘coward’ T.J. Dillashaw only on EPO for Henry Cejudo fight

Cody Garbrandt thinks fellow former UFC champ T.J. Dillashaw has been using banned substances for years, not just for his Henry Cejudo bout.

It’s safe to say [autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag] is not buying anything that [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] is saying.

Dillashaw recently opened up about his failed drug test that stemmed from recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) found in an in-competition testing sample, claiming he only used a banned substance in his attempt to make 125 pounds when challenging UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo.

Garbrandt thinks fellow former 135-pound champ Dillashaw has been on EPO for years, including the two times they fought. Dillashaw knocked out Garbrandt in both outings.

Dillashaw claimed the strenuous cut down to 125 pounds rendered him weak and anemic, which is why he took the banned substance – a mistake he said he regrets. Despite that, Dillashaw suffered a TKO loss to Cejudo in just 32 seconds. After testing positive, he relinquished his bantamweight title. He is currently serving a two-year suspension, and will be eligible to return in January 2021.

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