Aljamain Sterling is locked in as UFC 280 showdown against TJ Dillashaw approaches.
After beating Petr Yan to retain the bantamweight title, Aljamain Sterling is now prepared to defend his throne against TJ Dillashaw. Sterling has won seven straight fights, but the former bantamweight champion could be his most formidable challenge yet.
Sterling has been going after Dillashaw for months about the latter’s PED usage.
“Mr. Needleshaw, he’s been doing it [taking steroids] for a while,” said Sterling at the UFC 280 media day. “I don’t think he stopped, but regardless, I am content with knowing I’m gonna get in there with him.”
Dillashaw was suspended for two years after failing a drug test for steroids. The former bantamweight champion returned in July 2021, where he beat Cory Sandhagen in an action-packed split decision.
Despite verbal attacks by Sterling, he is not underestimating Dillashaw in any way.
“I just gotta go out there, do my job, handle my business, and go from there,” he said. “I’m not looking past TJ right now. I need to get past this guy. I need to skin the snake and just shut this guy up for good.”
Aljamain Sterling labels Dominick Cruz as the best bantamweight of all time
https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/26479192/usada-suspends-dillashaw-2-years-epo-use
During the UFC 280 media day, Dillashaw stated he was the best bantamweight of all time. The MMA media relayed those comments back to Sterling at his interview, where he shut down those claims.
“He’s one of the best. I think it’s crazy for him to say he’s the best,” said Sterling. “Based on what?… If I’m giving my opinion on who’s the greatest bantamweight of all time, I’m gonna say it’s Dominick Cruz.”
Sterling also mentioned that his name would be on the list of highly-regarded bantamweights with a win against Dillashaw. UFC 280 is stacked, and having the bantamweight title showdown as the co-headliner could lead to an event-of-the-year candidate.
