T.J. Dillashaw was able to reclaim the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 217 in November via second-round TKO against former teammate Cody Garbrandt. Yet, despite this accomplishment, he feels he is not getting the respect that he is due.
Speaking to ESPN, Dillashaw believes he should be in a better standing, as far as being a top pound-for-pound fighter in the world goes.
”It’s frustrating because I believe I should be a lot higher [in the pound-for-pound ranking],” Dillashaw said. “Couple split-decision losses I felt should have gone my way. That’s the way this sport is. I don’t lose to Cruz [in 2016], I’m up there for best in the world. It’s all meant to be. It’s going to end up leading to a great thing.”
The “great thing” that Dillashaw is referring to is a possible super-fight against long-time flyweight champion and the current top pound-for-pound fighter in the world Demetrious Johnson. It is a fight that T.J. is hoping would finally settle the argument about who the “Greatest of All-Time” is.
”I’m looking to come in and dethrone him from his legacy,” Dillashaw said. “He won’t be able to call himself the ‘GOAT’ anymore.”
”It’s so easy for him to continue calling himself that and take the fights he thinks are a little easier,” he added. “He’s a cerebral fighter. He and his coach are smart guys, and they know I bring the greatest threat. I think he knows that’s going to be a tough one for him to win.”
Dillashaw says he is confident that the fight will be finalized for 2018, and is giving himself 16 weeks to cut down to 125-pounds. To this, ex-champion Garbrandt has a response.
Demetrious Johnson last fought Ray Borg at UFC 216 in October, where he won via a spectacular fifth-round armbar.