TJ Dillashaw calls for title shot upon UFC return

Earlier this year the MMA community was in shock as former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw tested positive for EPO. This was following his first round knockout loss to Henry Cejudo for the flyweight title. As a result of his doping, which he admitted to, he was suspended for two years and stripped of his title. While the community has almost universally turned on him, Dillashaw remains a draw in the sport.

Now, in a new interview with Helen Yee, Dillashaw said that he feels he should get a crack at “his” title when he returns.

“Still champion”

“Me. When I come back. That’s why they need me back, they need someone to cause some fire, cause some rift. That is my weight class, I had to give that belt up and fair enough, I understand,” Dillashaw said. “I fucked up, and I had to relinquish it. But, I didn’t lose. That’s my belt, I’m still calling it my belt. I’m still the champion of the world. When I come back I will reclaim it.”

Dillashaw’s loss to Cejudo was his first in over two years. En route to his second bantamweight title shot de defeated Raphael Assuncao and John Linekere before knocking out former champ Cody Garbrandt. Dillashaw getting caught for doping has however cast doubt over many of his previous performances. The fact that Dillashaw was able to come on as strongly as he did in later rounds is now questioned.