The UFC will crown a new light-heavyweight champion at UFC 187 on May 23. After former titleholder Jon Jones got stripped of his belt and suspended indefinitely, number-one contender Anthony Johnson and former title challenger Daniel Cormier will battle out who the new best 205-pounder in the world is.
However, the situation is entirely bittersweet for both men, because whoever wins this fight will always have to deal with the concern that the “real” champion was never actually dethroned.
Bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw, who won his title in a fight against Renan Barao at UFC 173 because the “real” champion Dominick Cruz got injured, has never heard of such a voice.
“Not at all,” the UFC bantamweight kingpin told MMAjunkie Radio. “If (Dominick) Cruz isn’t able to get back in the cage and defend his belt, why should he be the champ?”
Same goes for Jon Jones and the light-heavyweight division, said Dillashaw.
“If Jon Jones can’t figure out his life to where he can live clean and be a professional, then he doesn’t deserve to be the champ, either,” said Dillashaw. “The UFC did the right thing, and whoever wins that fight is going to be a great champion.”
T.J. Dillashaw is set to take on Barao in a rematch at UFC on FOX 16 in July.
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