T.J. Dillashaw was adamant he could reclaim the UFC bantamweight title while compromised in what ended up being his final fight.
Dillashaw (17-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) took a risk by going into his October 2022 title fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280 injured. The risk didn’t pay off as his shoulder popped out during the fight, and he was finished by Round 2 TKO.
The former two-time UFC bantamweight champion ended up retiring after lingering issues with his shoulder. In hindsight, many would have regretted taking that fight injured but not Dillashaw.
“I was fighting a guy that I felt like I could still beat with the arm that I had,” Dillashaw said on the “JAXXON Podcast.” “I felt like I could have knocked him out. Yeah, dude, (with one arm). His striking is complete garbage.”
Dillashaw explains why he never considered pulling out.
“I know I’m going to have to have shoulder surgery, so I’m going to be out for another year-and-a-half,” Dillashaw said. “I’m 36 years old. It’s kind of like, this might be my last f*cking shot. Ends up, yes, it was because my shoulder was so bad. So it’s like, why am I going to pass up this opportunity?
“Might be my last shot ever to be a three-time world champion, get my belt back. (The odds) were f*cking awesome. I’m delusionally optimistic, but I really believe that’s also what got me to the belt. I believed in myself so much that I was able to push through so much negativity and get to the top.”
