T.J. Dillashaw: “Henry Cejudo is my Enemy”

T.J. Dillashaw still laments over his loss against Henry Cejudo. It was his chance to take the UFC flyweight title, but Cejudo denied it pretty ruthless. Now, while waiting for his two-year suspension to end, Dillashaw spoke about his feelings about that match.

Besides regret for missing a chance to take the belt, Dillashaw also expressed dislike towards Cejudo, who will stay one of his most hated rivals. The 33-year old fighter didn’t have any problems of explaining why he doesn’t like “The Messenger.”

“I have some enemies that are definitely going to stay my enemies for the rest of my life. I wouldn’t say it’s because (Cejudo) is an (expletive) talker, it’s more just the way he carries himself,” Dillashaw stated.

HENRY CEJUDO IS THE TRUTH! 🤯#AndStill UFC Flyweight champ, he KOs TJ Dillashaw in 30 seconds! 🔥

Stunning performance! Stunning finish at #UFCBrooklyn! pic.twitter.com/TnkYpE6o4r

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) January 20, 2019

He would love to cross paths with Cejudo once again when he comes back into the ring. The motive for him is just too great, the belt, the revenge, prestige. All this is what drives Dillashaw to demand a second chance against this rival.

“It’s just something that is burning inside of me, to get my belt back, to get that win back, to get back to where I need to be to get this thing behind me.”

Following his victory over Cody Garbrandt at UFC 217 when he won the UFC bantamweight title, he had to confirm that in a rematch against the same opponent. And he did, without too much of a trouble. At that point, Dillashaw made a plan to try to become a two-division champion, by defeating Henry Cejudo who held a title at the flyweight category.

However, that plan didn’t work out well, as he lost after just 32 seconds in a ring. Cejudo was so dominant in that clash, that many couldn’t believe what they saw. It was Dillashaw’s first loss after three years and a defeat against Dominick Cruz, back in January 2016.

While serving his suspension, the American fighter decided to fully repair his body. He had two reconstructive surgeries on his shoulders and also sorted out several minor issues which had been troubling him in the past. He isn’t practicing in the ring due to the recovery process but is slowly starting to go back to the basics.

“I’ve been getting back in shape. I’m finally able to run,” said Dillashaw. “I’ve been working out my legs, things like that, but when it comes to the martial arts side of it, I haven’t even had the chance to do anything.”

The US Anti-Doping Agency found traces of recombinant human erythropoietin in his blood before and after the match with Cejudo, and he accepted a two-year ban. He will not be able to fight until January 18, 2021. The rHuEPO is a synthetic hormone which increases the production of the red blood cells, which further increase the aerobic abilities of an athlete.

While Dillashaw awaits his time to come back into the ring and fight, he had no troubles of giving some advice to Cejudo about his future. According to his words, the Messenger should fight none other than Joseph Benavidez, the last guy who defeated him.

“I think it would be very dumb for Cejudo not to fight Joseph Benavidez,” Dillashaw said. “That’s his last loss; that’s a fight that he has to make up. I think Joseph Benavidez has a great threat against him, too.”

It seems that T.J. would like to see Cejudo losing again, even if he isn’t the one who defeats him. Right now, the reigning bantamweight and flyweight champion is recovering from his shoulder injury and doesn’t have the same intentions as his rival suggests.

According to various sources, Cejudo will defend bantamweight first and leave flyweight for later.