Midnight Mania! ‘Crackhead’ Dillashaw Regrets Flyweight Move, ‘My Body Was Dying’

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Midnight Mania! ‘Crackhead’ Dillashaw Regrets Flyweight Move, ‘My Body Was Dying’

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

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It’s hard to understate just how disastrous TJ Dillashaw’s attempt to become a double champ ended for the Californian. The undisputed Bantamweight kingpin spent months of grueling effort and discipline to shed an unhealthy amount of weight, succeeding in weighing in at 125 lbs. It all fell apart soon afterward, as Henry Cejudo knocked him out in short order, and a performance enhancing drugs (PED) suspension sat him on the sidelines for two years.

Cue the apology video.

Given all the consequences Dillashaw suffered, it would be a surprise if the current 135-pound contender didn’t regret that chapter of his career. Dillashaw confirmed as much while speaking to the media at UFC 273

“That’s why I f—ked up. My body was dying. (They were) telling me I couldn’t do it. I got below 4% body fat,” Dillashaw said (via BloodyElbow). “I see pictures of myself. I thought I looked good at the time, right? But I see pictures of myself now, I looked like a crackhead. It was disgusting.”

Specifically, Dillashaw blames his suspension and absence on the 125-pound weight cut. Asked if he regrets the move, Dillashaw answered, “I do and I don’t. I knew it was a lot of work, but yeah, I definitely regret it because I wouldn’t have been sitting out for two years.”

At this point, Dillashaw’s future is surely at Bantamweight. He returned from the sidelines to the win column in a big way, taking a close decision off recent title challenger Cory Sandhagen to assert himself back into the mix. He just might be next-in-line for Bantamweight gold, barring any further injuries or run-ins with USADA.

Seven Weeks Of Self-Promotion

It’s somehow been about six months since my last fight, and I’m once again booked to compete, this time at Urijah Faber’s A-1 Combat promotion in Sacramento, California on May 28.

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Insomnia

Well … this is bizarre.

At 22 years of age, there’s still plenty of time for Kay Hansen to win a couple fights and make another run inside the Octagon.

Merab Dvalishvili (making his third appearance on MM this week?!?) stumbled upon a random Las Vegas street fight and was hugely excited about it.

If UFC ventures to Liverpool, is Paddy Pimblett ready for his first main event slot?

In fairness to BJ Penn, campaign promises are almost always lies anyway, right?

There are some really awesome little details in this piece of MMA art.

Is it controversial to agree with Aljamain Sterling and prefer Jose Aldo to Dillashaw for the next Bantamweight title challenger? I actually think it’s a harder fight for “Funkmaster” too.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

On a related note: Bantamweight Jose Aldo appreciation post!

Watch 16-year-old Tenshin Nasukawa destroy opponents left and right:

William Knight is an odd fighter, but the man has incredible power.

Random Land

The Internet is a weird f—king place.

Midnight Music: Rock and roll, 1975

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.

https://www.mmamania.com/2022/4/14/23024525/midnight-mania-tj-dillashaw-regrets-flyweight-move-my-body-was-dying-ufc-espn-mma-henry-cejudo