TJ Dillashaw, after two long years warming the UFC’s proverbial bench, will make his return to the Octagon this Saturday night. He will fight Cory Sandhagen, headlining the main event of UFC Vegas 32, and is looking to send a message to the rest of the division.
In promotional material for the fight, Dillashaw made a statement. “If you don’t have something to prove in life, then you aren’t living. No matter if it’s fighting or your day-to-day job, you need that push, that drive.
“Daddy’s home” – TJ Dillashaw sends a message to bantamweight division
What I need to prove is I’m the best in the world. I want that belt back more than anything. I never lost it and I’m coming back to reclaim it. Daddy’s home.”
Following his TKO loss to Henry Cejudo in a flyweight title fight, Dillashaw was stripped of his bantamweight title and suspended from competition when he tested positive for EPO. Dillashaw came clean with his PED use, accepting his suspension.
Dillashaw never conceded the bantamweight belt in competition, although whether he legitimately earned it considering his use of performance enhancing drugs is the subject of widespread debate.
Dillashaw, going into this fight, is looking to redeem himself and secure his legacy. He wants to challenge for the title once more. Whether his years on the sidelines will affect these title aspirations will be revealed on Saturday night.
Cory Sandhagen, on the other hand, has spent the past two years grinding away at the bantamweight division, eventually landing at the #2 spot. Sandhagen’s only recent loss came at the hands of current bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling, who won the title from Petr Yan via a controversial disqualification. Sandhagen, who won both his most recent fights with a knockout, is entering the final phase of a title campaign.
Whoever of the two men wins in Vegas this weekend will likely go on to fight the winner of Sterling v Yan 2 for the bantamweight title. For the moment, he remains focused on the task at hand, addressing Sandhagen:
“It’s going to be a dogfight.I’ll take you to the depths of hell and if you are willing to follow me, I’ll take you further.
These new guys think they can pass me by but I’m the best guy in the weight division and I’m coming back to prove it.”
Will TJ Dillashaw prove himself this Saturday night and get the fast track to the title? Is he as good as he says he is? Let us know in the comments.
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