Former UFC bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw (16-4) is getting anxious to make his octagon return. Dillashaw’s suspension for a positive EPO test ended in January and he’s been preparing to get back into the cage.
The former champion has been very vocal about wanting a UFC title shot when he returns. Dillashaw never lost the bantamweight title inside the cage. He had dropped down to fight Henry Cejudo at flyweight when he was popped for EPO.
After the positive test, Dillashaw released a statement saying he was giving up his UFC title. Shortly after that, Dillashaw was suspended for two years. During his time off, Dillashaw got some much needed surgeries to get his body ready for this next push in his career.
The top bantamweights have been vocal in wanting to fight Dillashaw. However, they’ve also been very vocal about believing he doesn’t deserve a title shot considering the reasoning behind him losing the title.
While Dillashaw has been adamant that he wants a UFC title shot in his return, he is starting to change his tune a little. Perhaps he’s starting to get the feeling that a title shot is not likely for his comeback fight.
UFC title shot or top five
The former UFC bantamweight champion appeared on “Real Quick with Mike Swick” to talk about what he wants next. As mentioned, Dillashaw still wants a title shot, but he’s more open to other possibilities with his return imminent.
“I’m ready to go straight for the belt. If that’s the opportunity that comes at me because I know Yan wants it… 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,” Dillashaw said.
The former UFC champion did say that his return is about proving to the world that he’s the best bantamweight of all time. If that means he has to take on a top five opponent when he returns, Dillashaw is willing to do that as well.
“I want to come back and prove that I’m the best bantamweight of all time. 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,” Dillashaw said. Whoever he fights in his UFC return, you can imagine there will be a lot of eyes on TJ Dillashaw.