TJ Dillashaw News

Harry Kettle - May 16, 2025

Former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw admits that he was delusionally optimistic heading into his title fight against Aljamain Sterling. These days, TJ Dillashaw is enjoying his mixed martial arts retirement. His career was full of many ups and downs, including multiple title wins, weight class changes, controversial decisions, doping violations and injuries. The latter, of course, wound up being the defining story of his retirement, in a lot of ways.

BJ Penn Staff - February 18, 2025

UFC lightweight King Green is going to bat for Anthony Smith following some harsh criticism from former bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw. During a 2024 appearance on the JAXXON podcast, Dillashaw questioned “Lionheart” Smith’s heart, claiming he “gives up” in his fights.

Josh Evanoff - February 17, 2025

Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz received support from an unlikely foe after announcing his retirement. ‘The Dominator’ was set to make one final walk to the cage this weekend in the co-main event of UFC Seattle. Over two years after being knocked out by Marlon Vera, Dominick Cruz signed a deal to face Rob Font. Ahead of the bout, the former champion confirmed it would be his last. With a lifetime of injuries and approaching his 40th birthday, the decision made sense.

Cole Shelton - January 27, 2025

TJ Dillashaw believes Cody Garbrandt is the toughest matchup at bantamweight for champion Merab Dvalishvili. Garbrandt is a former UFC bantamweight champion but is unranked. However, his former rival Dillashaw thinks the former champ would pose a lot of problems for Dvalishvili due to his skill set.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 1, 2024

TJ Dillashaw believes he knows where things went south for Max Holloway at UFC 308. Holloway attempted to become a two-time UFC featherweight champion when he met the undefeated Ilia Topuria in Abu Dhabi. “Blessed” was competitive in the first two rounds, but things went off the rails for him in the third frame. Sensing that he had Holloway hurt, Topuria unleashed a barrage of strikes before catching his opponent flush for the knockout win.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 11, 2024

TJ Dillashaw is baffled by Jose Aldo’s strategy against Mario Bautista. Aldo and Bautista shared the Octagon on the main card of UFC 307. Aldo was hoping to defeat another rising prospect and eventually earn another title fight. Instead, Bautista scored a split decision victory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 22, 2024

TJ Dillashaw believes Merab Dvalisvili made Sean O’Malley look weak in their UFC 306 title fight. Dvalishvili put forth a stellar performance against “Suga.” His pressure and wrestling gave O’Malley problems throughout the fight. When the score totals were read, it was Dvalishvili who had his hand raised via unanimous decision, securing the UFC bantamweight title in the process.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 20, 2024

One former UFC bantamweight champion has warned Sean O’Malley to stay clear from a certain 135-pound contender. O’Malley won’t have to worry about future opponents at the moment. The “Suga” show will be going under the knife following his UFC 306 loss to Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley claims he suffered a torn labrum 10 weeks before losing the UFC Bantamweight Championship.

Harry Kettle - July 12, 2024

Former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw has questioned current UFC fighter Anthony Smith over his ‘Lionheart’ nickname. As we know, Anthony Smith is a true veteran in mixed martial arts. Throughout the course of his career, he’s fought 58 times, accumulating a record of 38-20. He even managed to get into position for a crack at the UFC light heavyweight championship, falling short in his clash with Jon Jones.

Josh Evanoff - July 9, 2024

Don’t expect to see former bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw back in the UFC anytime soon. The 38-year-old has been retired for almost two years now. In October 2022, T.J. Dillashaw attempted to win bantamweight gold for the third time against then-champion Aljamain Sterling. However, the former titleholder had a very tough training camp. While Dillashaw had shoulder injuries in the past, the issues became much worse in training for ‘The Funk Master’.

Harry Kettle - June 7, 2024

Former UFC fighter TJ Dillashaw believes Cory Sandhagen will go on to become UFC champion if he gets past Umar Nurmagomedov. For the longest time now, Cory Sandhagen has been viewed as a future world champion in the UFC. Of course, he’s suffered some setbacks along the way as we know – but he’s still an incredible fighter. Now, he’s set to face another tough test on his way to the top as he prepares to battle Umar Nurmagomedov.

Josh Evanoff - May 10, 2024

Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw could seemingly be on the way back. The 38-year-old has been out of action since a title fight with Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280 in October 2022. That fight ended a yearlong layoff for T.J. Dillashaw, and he didn’t enter it in the best condition. Just minutes into that bout with ‘The Funk Master’, the former champion had his shoulder dislocated.

Harry Kettle - January 2, 2024

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is looking bigger than ever following his retirement from MMA. In late 2022, TJ Dillashaw made the decision to retire from mixed martial arts. It came following a headline-filled career, from upset title wins to a long suspension to a series of nasty injuries. Through it all, though, Dillashaw is still widely considered to be one of the best bantamweight in the history of the sport.

Josh Evanoff - August 8, 2023

Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw will likely be back if all goes well. The 37-year-old last competed at UFC 280 against Aljamain Sterling last Fall. The fight was T.J. Dillashaw’s first in over a year, missing time after a win over Cory Sandhagen due to injury. Prior to that win over ‘The Sandman’, the former champion famously missed over two years of his career due to failing a drug test.

Cole Shelton - April 12, 2023

TJ Dillashaw is having a hard time processing that his fighting career is over. Dillashaw announced his retirement from MMA following his UFC 280 TKO loss to Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title. Early into the fight, Dillashaw dislocated his shoulder, and having to go under the knife again, he knew his career was over.

Cole Shelton - January 5, 2023

Cory Sandhagen was frustrated to see TJ Dillashaw fight Aljamain Sterling for the belt when he was clearly injured. In the co-main event of UFC 280, Sterling was looking to defend his belt for the second time when he faced Dillashaw in a fight many fans were looking forward to. Yet, right away, Dillashaw popped his shoulder out multiple times and lost by second-round TKO.

Cole Shelton - December 15, 2022

TJ Dillashaw has a major regret from his career. Dillashaw recently announced his retirement from MMA following his TKO loss to Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title. In the fight, he disclosed his shoulder multiple times and after the fight, he was set to undergo surgery.

Cole Shelton - December 6, 2022

Cody Garbrandt and Aljamain Sterling have both given their thoughts on TJ Dillashaw retiring from MMA. Garbrandt and Dillashaw were longtime teammates at Team Alpha Male but the two later became rivals when ‘Killashaw’ left the gym. The pair ended up coaching against one another on TUF and fought twice in the Octagon for the bantamweight strap. Dillashaw won both of those contests, becoming the new champ and then defending the belt.