Former UFC bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw, views a potential matchup with current bantamweight champ, Aljamain Sterling, as an easy fight in his favor.
Dillashaw recently spoke with ESPN's Brett Okamoto and explained why he doesn't see Sterling as much of a challenge, while also dismissing the 32-year-old Uniondale, New York native's ability to finish fights.
“I’m not too worried about Sterling,” Dillashaw said (h/t MMA Fighting). “That callout, it’s a pretty easy fight for me, to be honest. I think it’s gonna be real good. I mean, congratulations to him, implementing his game plan in the fight. He showed some weaknesses in Yan, but stylistically that fight is perfect for me, so he can say anything he wants, but he ain’t gonna be champion for much longer. He’s good, don’t get me wrong. He’s got some attributes. He wouldn’t be where he is without being good, but he’s definitely not champion caliber. The guys that I’ve fought already in the past [are] much better than he is, a lot more dangerous. There’s no danger fighting Sterling. Has he ever even knocked anyone out? I don’t know. I didn’t even look at his record. It’s a guy that you don’t have to be worried about. There’s no way he’s gonna be out-grappling me. His striking is straight pathetic, so yeah, I’m surprised that he is where he is, and stylistically it’s a great fight for me.”
Sterling, who called out Dillashaw after his split-decision victory over Petr Yan in their rematch at UFC 273, responded to the former champion's comments via the following tweet.
.@TJDillashaw who TF have you beaten that is soOoOoo much tougher than the guys I’ve faced? -- This is Comedy Central. You should do stand up with @HenryCejudo. He’s your daddy, after he sonned your needled ass--
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 26, 2022
Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for ‘Fightful Fight Night’ watch-alongs for all major MMA and Boxing events!
