T.J. Dillashaw (17-4 MMA) and Aljamain Sterling (21-3 MMA) are set to collide in the co-main event of UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi.
’Killashaw’ is looking to reclaim the coveted 135lbs title after being forced to vacate the belt due to his use of the banned substance EPO back in 2019. The 36-year-old has won five of his past six fights overall, including two knockout victories over his former teammate and bitter rival in Cody Garbrandt.
Meanwhile, reigning UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (21-3 MMA) will enter the contest on a seven-fight winning streak, his latest being a split decision victory over Petr Yan at UFC 273. ‘Funkmaster’ has not tasted defeat since being brutally knocked out by Marlon Moraes back in December of 2017.
Despite his heated rivalry with TJ Dillashaw, former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt believes fans will hear “and New” following the conclusion of tomorrow’s co-main event.
Check out ‘No Love’s’ official prediction below courtesy of Instagram:
“Aljamain silenced a lot of critics with his last fight, with his dominant win over Yan. I just feel like TJ is a different fighter. Stylistically, movement, he blends in the mixed martial arts really well. Even though he is a piece of sh*t. For some reason I just have TJ winning this fight against Aljamain.”
Dillashaw (17-4 MMA) was last seen in action in July of 2021, where he earned a split decision win over Cory Sandhagen. He will look to become a three-time UFC bantamweight champion evening in Abu Dhabi.
Aljamain Sterling hilariously jibes at T.J. Dillashaw ahead of upcoming clash at UFC 280, promises to beat the “sh*t out of him”
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:
