Dillashaw, who has been out for the last two years serving a suspension for EPO use, recently spoke with ESPN where he took a shot at Sandhagen for some comments the rising contender made about him.
“I like Cory Sandhagen,” Dillashaw said. “He’s become a little bit of a douche lately, talking that s*** which he’s gotta do, that’s the name of the game, but I like Cory Sandhagen. I like all of his coaches, I like Elevation Fight Team, but that’s the business. We’re gonna get out there, we’re gonna handle it, and I’m gonna come back and get my belt.”
Dillashaw and Sandhagen have a bit of a history, training together back when Dillashaw was the champion. However, following his 28 second KO of Frankie Edgar at UFC Vegas 18, Sandhagen caught Dillashaw with some stray shade when sniping at then-bantamweight champion Petr Yan for calling for a fight with Dillashaw, saying that Dillashaw was “coming off some of the most serious PEDs that you can do in the sport” and calling it disrespectful to the sport and to him. While this statement is objectively true, it still irked Dillashaw.
“Oh just talking s*** about how me failing a drug test and then something about me taking the worst steroid you could possibly take, which I wasn’t even taking a steroid,” Dillashaw said. “Just running his mouth on certain interviews and stuff of things he knows is complete nonsense. Just pumping himself up and making himself feel like he’s got a chance in this fight.”
Those are not the only comments Sandhagen has made about the former champion. In a previous interview with ESPN, before their bout was booked, Sandhagen suggested that Dillashaw was attempting to duck him by getting an immediate title shot and then make excuses to not fight him. It’s been a bit of a tonal shift from Sandhagen who has been calling for a fight with Dillashaw since last year but has mostly been ambivalent about Dillashaw’s suspension. Meanwhile, Dillashaw, for his part, is excited about the matchup as he believes it sets him up to fight for the title later this year.
“It wasn’t the only option but it is the one that is great,” Dillashaw said. “I love this fight. He’s got a lot of hype behind him. He’s has two good wins, people are blowing him up right now but it’s such a good fight for me to get right back on top, right where I left off. I’ll have the belt around my waist by the end of the year.”
Dillashaw has not competed since January of 2019, a first-round knockout loss to Henry Cejudo. His record is 16-4.
[h=1]TOP STORIES[/h]IPO. Endeavor closes deal for 100 percent controlling interest over UFC ahead of planned IPO, Elon Musk joins board of directors.
Price. Jon Jones tells UFC $8-10 million ‘way too low’ for Francis Ngannou fight, Derrick Lewis responds
Champion. Francis Ngannou wants Jon Jones next but won’t hold up heavyweight division waiting for him, open to Derrick Lewis rematch.
Ego. Conor McGregor proposes creation of ‘McGregor Belt’ ahead of potential Dustin Poirier trilogy bout
Beef. Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz get in expletive-filled argument over who’s real king of MMA.
Tyrant. Luke Rockhold blasts ‘tyrant’ Dana White: ‘It’s very mafioso tactics in negotiations’.
[h=1]VIDEO STEW[/h]The A-Side Live Chat.
An interview with Francis Ngannou.
Respect.
Bellator explains its rankings.
[h=1]LISTEN UP[/h]Heavy Hands. Discussing the big happenings from UFC 260.
UFC Unfiltered. An interview with Miesha Tate.
[h=1]SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE[/h]Solidarity.
I’ll do it for 5 million
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) March 31, 2021
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) March 31, 2021
40 mill is too low
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 31, 2021
A smart man.— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 31, 2021
While we’re talking about fighters pay.What about the fighters who live fight to fight.I’m not one of them so it doesn’t pertain to me .But I’m compassionate for those individuals.The 1% need to fight their own battles.We learned more for Conor doesn’t = better fighter pay ??
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 31, 2021
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 31, 2021
I ain’t never hear a fighter on top say fighters need to be paid more , it’s always “I” need to be paid more .
Smart logics say if you’re on top group up . Which in return would benefit you later . But no one cares until it hits close to home!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 31, 2021
Smart logics say if you’re on top group up . Which in return would benefit you later . But no one cares until it hits close to home!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 31, 2021
So with that being said Dana & investors. I’m with y’all, keep eating until these guys get smart and apply that pressure . Fighters don’t sign a 10 fight contract then complain after 2 fights. Where was that energy before hand !
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 31, 2021
Beef.— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 31, 2021
“Tira Misu On 2” # You’ll SeeMeSoonEnoughBuddy ?? -CSO- # Called It. # ConditioningSucks # KeepRunningFathead -Champ pic.twitter.com/uKyAwTKcjC
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) March 31, 2021
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) March 31, 2021
You have a fight soon, your opponent is very tough and most underestimated in lightweight division, focus on him. I wish you and your family best, even though you look like a shit.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 31, 2021
Business.— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 31, 2021
Top Fighters: I need to be paid more
Media: Fighters need to be paid more
Fighters: I'm just hoping to fight 3 or 4
times this year. https://t.co/cmaLWh7G59
— Din Thomas (@DinThomas) March 31, 2021
Media: Fighters need to be paid more
Fighters: I'm just hoping to fight 3 or 4
times this year. https://t.co/cmaLWh7G59
— Din Thomas (@DinThomas) March 31, 2021
I want my next Reebok check in Endeavor stocks https://t.co/nr27FimK6t
— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) April 1, 2021
Ben mad.— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) April 1, 2021
It makes a lot of sense that @GamebredFighter and @jakepaul are friends, both have the emotional maturity of a 12 year old. If you say something they don’t like one pouts and stomps, the other tries to fight you
— Funky (@Benaskren) March 31, 2021
— Funky (@Benaskren) March 31, 2021
Bc what a lot of people are finding out is that one of us is actually authentic and the other only@acts like street Jesus some of the time. https://t.co/Vt3W0iAqvO
— Funky (@Benaskren) April 1, 2021
— Funky (@Benaskren) April 1, 2021
I can’t stand Colby, but let’s be real fake street Jesus was afraid to fight him.
— Funky (@Benaskren) April 1, 2021
— Funky (@Benaskren) April 1, 2021
[h=1]FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS[/h]N/A.
[h=1]FINAL THOUGHTS[/h]Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
[h=1]EXIT POLL[/h]
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
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