TJ Dillashaw believes that Aljamain Sterling’s recent jabs about his past steroid use are planted seeds for a title loss when they finally fight.
TJ Dillashaw Fires Back At Aljamain Sterling
Dillashaw will challenge Sterling for the UFC bantamweight title at the UFC 280 pay-per-view (PPV) in the co-headliner on October 22 in Abu Dhabi.
It’s a quick path back to the title for Dillashaw. The former champion returned from a two-year suspension for Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) use in July of 2021.
He defeated Cory Sandhagen via split decision. Now, he’ll challenge Sterling for the title he never lost. Speaking to “The MMA Hour” recently, Sterling offered his thoughts on the upcoming matchup, including some jabs aimed at Dillashaw.
Sterling indicated he believes that Dillashaw still isn’t a clean fighter. Speaking to MMA Junkie in response, Dillashaw stated he believes these comments are Sterling making pre-built excuses for him to lose the fight.
“He’s got to say something to downplay how good I am,” Dillashaw told MMA Junkie on Monday. “I’m going to whoop his ass coming up soon in 10 weeks.
“He’s got to make some sort of excuse of why I’m winning, or who I am and why I am. It don’t bother me. It’s just a bunch of bullsh*t excuses. When I beat his ass he’s going to be like, ‘See.’”
Although Dillashaw does not dislike “The Funkmaster,” he has some character quirks that irritate him.
“I never had anything against the guy until now I’m fighting him,” Dillashaw said. “The way he kind of handled winning the belt the first time and just continuing his persona outright. He’s a kind of not a likable guy, and he’s kind of rolling with taking the cringe to the next level. Nothing personally against him, other than the fact he acts like a dipsh*t.
“I’ve never tried to get into too much personal stuff, trying to bring in the reality TV drama into everything. I try to stick somewhat to the sport. I don’t have time to really worry about who he is as a person or what he’s got going on. I worry about who he is as a fight, what holes he has in his game and how I’m going to whoop his ass. That’s why I get paid. Some people get paid to talk sh*t, but it’s just not what I’m into. I’m into talking sh*t about me being the best.”
Dillashaw will face Sterling, the champion who is currently on a seven-fight win streak, including his championship title victory. His past two victories have come over Petr Yan in championship bouts.
Sterling initially won the title via disqualification over Yan, but then solidified his reign by topping Yan this past April, defeating him via split decision.
Now, Sterling looks to pick up a big win over Dillashaw, one of the greatest champions the division has ever seen.
