ABU DHABI – T.J. Dillashaw thinks after UFC 280 there will be no doubt that he’s the best bantamweight of all time.
Dillashaw (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) challenges champion Aljamain Sterling (21-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.
If he’s victorious against Sterling, Dillashaw will become the 135-pound champion for a third time. With the likes of pioneer Urijah Faber retired and former two-time UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz having lost three of his past five, Dillashaw plans on separating himself from the pack.
“I already believe I’m the greatest bantamweight in history,” Dillashaw said at Wednesday’s UFC 280 media day. “I’m holding all the records and I’ll continue to run my reign, but yeah I think it’ll obviously cement that, but I already believe that. I mean, name a guy that’s got a better resume right now.”
He continued, “I’m training the right way and I’m the best in the weight class. I’ve already said it, if I’m in this sport I’ll be fighting – I haven’t fought under the top five since 2014. I’m up top.”
However, Dillashaw has had to overcome some adversity along the way. He was stripped off his bantamweight title when he tested positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) after his flyweight title loss to Henry Cejudo in January 2019, resulting in a two-year suspension.
He was able to outlast top contender Cory Sandhagen in his return from a two-and-a-half year layoff in July 2021, but found himself sidelined again after injuring his knee during the fight which required surgery. But Dillashaw is out to remind everyone again by dethroning Sterling.
“People forget when you’re not out there competing,” Dillashaw said. “I haven’t competed very much in the last three-and-a-half years. Came back, blew my knee out in my last fight so I haven’t gotten to be very active, they forget about the dominance you had when you were in there, the records you were holding.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.