Aljamain Sterling was able to get in one last jibe at his opponent T.J. Dillashaw during UFC 280‘s ceremonial weigh-ins after he thanked the “needle movers” for helping the event take place.
The rivalry between the pair has been primarily focused on Dillashaw’s 2019 drug ban. The 36-year-old tested positive for a banned substance and was unable to compete for two years after a USADA ruling.
‘Funk Master’ has spent much of the fight build-up regularly referring to ‘Lieutenant Dan’ as a drug addict and a cheater.
Interviewed by Jon Anik at the ceremonial weigh-ins, Dillashaw was excited to fight on a numbered pay-per-view card once again. He said:
“Man I’m f***ing excited to fight in arena. I’ve come all the way across the world to put on a show. I’m gonna show the f**k off for you guys and put this motherf***er to sleep!”
Aljamain Sterling responded with another swipe at Dillashaw’s drug ban by saying:
“This is a stacked card, you guys are in for a great show. I’d like to thank everybody on this card for being great needle movers for this event! Tomorrow night you guys are in for a good show. I’m gonna put this motherf***er down and beat the p*ss pound sh*t out of him.”
Catch a clip from the weigh-ins here:
Aljamain Sterling believes defeating a cheating T.J. Dillashaw will benefit his career
Although T.J. Dillashaw has served his time and is eligible to compete again, UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling remains convinced that he is still trying to cheat the system.
‘Funk Master’ has continually voiced his concern that Dillashaw could be using PED’s again because he has done it before and got away with it for a substantial amount of time. Despite feeling he’s going to be fighting a cheater, Sterling believes a victory over ‘Lieutentan Dan’ is going to add to his legacy. Speaking to BT Sport, he said:
“I don’t think anyone who gets caught should be in the sport, personally. Because what’s to stop them from doing it again? We’ve seen people get popped multiple times… That’s all I’m saying. So, don’t blame me for having the speculation… It is what it is. If he’s doing it and I beat him, you know that makes it all that much better. Maybe I’m superhuman. So more of a feather in my cap.”
Aljamain Sterling heads into UFC 280 looking to make his second successful title defense. For Dillashaw, the 36-year-old is vying for a second run with the title that he previously held in 2019.
Catch Aljamain Sterling’s interview with BT Sport here: