TJ Dillashaw turns down the potential rematch option with rival Cody Garbrandt proposed for UFC 222.
Earlier this morning news broke that Max Holloway got suffered a leg injury during training and pulled out of main event card against Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 on March 3 in Las Vegas.
Shortly after, Ariel Helwani announced that the UFC was attempting to book two new fights for the UFC 222 PPV event.
The first fight, where Brian Ortega replaces Max Holloway and fight Frankie Edgar in a non-title bout.
The second fight would be bantamweight title fight rematch between T.J. Dillashaw and former champion Cody Garbrandt.
TJ Dillashaw, a bantamweight champ, and Garbrandt were two of the athletes contacted, with the UFC hoping for a rematch of their grudge match from UFC 217 back in November, which Dillashaw won by second-round TKO. The champ is not thrilled and turns down the offer.
Dillashaw who is targeting a summer super fight with flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson and is currently taking some time off after the birth of his first child. In fact, he’s not in training camp and thinks Cody Garbrandt is undeserving of an immediate rematch. Dillashaw explained his decision to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
Spoke to @TJDillashaw. UFC asked him to accept a rematch against Cody Garbrandt to headline 222. Here’s what he had to say about it. pic.twitter.com/esl4dBRYXe
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 3, 2018
Ex-champ Garbrandt not liking the situation and would want the opportunity to regain the belt he lost to his former teammate Dillashaw.
Cody did his best to try and pressure Dillashaw to accept the rematch, T.J. refused to cave. Dillashaw made it clear he won’t play a role in protecting the UFC 222 main event.
. @Cody_Nolove Hey “smart” guy, through all your cussing and trash talk, wait till Kai is born and you get to hold him in your arms. Then see if you want to train for a fight on 4 weeks notice when your baby is a month old. #FAMILYFirst #HumbleYourself #URstillanidiot #KTFO 🤫 pic.twitter.com/knfHkeCgI3
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) February 3, 2018
Cody continues trash Dillashaw.
Dillashaw continues to have his sights set on a super-fight with pound-for-pound great Demetrious Johnson. It was just announced two days ago that T.J. Dillashaw is negotiations to fight Demetrious Johnson in the co-headliner of July’s UFC 226 event in Las Vegas. BJPenn journalist even confirms the news.
Despite reports, I'm told that @TJDillashaw vs. @Cody_Nolove 2 is NOT a done deal for #UFC222. I assume the UFC will have to offer TJ a ton of $$$ to save the event. Fighting Cody again comes with a lot of risk. Not only could he lose his BW strap, but also his superfight with DJ
— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) February 3, 2018
This just in! Per sources – The wheels are officially in motion to have TJ Dillashaw vs. Demetrious Johnson co-headline UFC 226 on July 7 in Las Vegas.
— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) February 1, 2018
UFC needs to understand, a short notice rematch between TJ Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt could be risky, such matchups cause problems at last minute. Brian Ortega and Frankie Edgar’s matchup is still in a talk, not finalized yet.
Do you think TJ Dillashaw made a right decision in turning down a potential rematch?
