Cody Garbrandt and T.J. Dillashaw trade shots after rematch talks fall through the cracks

Cody Garbrandt and T.J. Dillashaw trade shots after rematch talks fall through the cracks!

Earlier today ESPN’s Brett Okamoto announced that current UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway had suffered an injury and would no longer be able to compete in the main event of UFC 222 against Frankie Edgar.

Almost immediately following Okamoto’s report, rumors began swirling that the UFC was hoping to have current bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw rematch bitter rival Cody Garbrandt on just four weeks notice at the March 3 event in Las Vegas.

While some media outlets announced that the Dillashaw vs. Garbrandt rematch was official for UFC 222, BJPenn.com’s Chris Taylor quickly refuted those reports after speaking with sources close to the situation.

Despite reports, I'm told that @TJDillashaw vs. @Cody_Nolove 2 is NOT a done deal for #UFC222. I assume the UFC will have to offer TJ a ton of $$$ to save the event. Fighting Cody again comes with a lot of risk. Not only could he lose his BW strap, but also his superfight with DJ

— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) February 3, 2018

Shortly following Taylor’s tweet, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto released a statement from T.J. Dillashaw which explained his decision to reject the UFC’s offer to participate at UFC 222 against “No Love”.

“It took me two to get a title shot back, now they want me to defend it on four weeks notice? I have a five-week old. I’m not training. My camp is in California and I’m in Denver right now. And all this to face a guy who doesn’t deserve a rematch to begin with? I lost a split decision to Dominick Cruz when I lost my belt, the UFC told me they thought I won that fight, and it still took me two years to get back to it. I had to wait through Cody’s back injury last year, all of the TUF bull—-. I told the UFC I am not doing it. I’m shooting for the DJ fight in July!” – T.J. Dillashaw

Dillashaw’s current focus is tending to his new born child who was born just five weeks ago. On top of that, Dillashaw is focused on a super-fight with current pound-for-pound great Demetrious Johnson.

The super-fight with “Mighty Mouse”, which would take place at flyweight, is already in negotiations to co-headline July’s UFC 226 event in Las Vegas.

This just in! Per sources – The wheels are officially in motion to have TJ Dillashaw vs. Demetrious Johnson co-headline UFC 226 on July 7 in Las Vegas.

— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) February 1, 2018

Cody Garbrandt was not a fan of Dillashaw’s reasoning for turning down the short-notice fight and proceeded to attack the current bantamweight champion on social media.

My wife will be expecting anytime during that fight week, I just started to be able to use my right hand, how many excuses do you have @TJDillashaw ?? https://t.co/nxfpmXDJyU

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) February 3, 2018

“My wife will be expecting anytime during that fight week, I just started to be able to use my right hand, how many excuses do you have @TJDillashaw ??” – Cody Garbrandt

Dillashaw quickly fired back at his former teammate turned nemesis.

. @Cody_Nolove Hey “smart” guy, through all your cussing and trash talk, wait till Kai is born and you get to hold him in your arms. Then see if you want to train for a fight on 4 weeks notice when your baby is a month old. #FAMILYFirst #HumbleYourself #URstillanidiot #KTFO 🤫 pic.twitter.com/knfHkeCgI3

— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) February 3, 2018

“@Cody_Nolove Hey “smart” guy, through all your cussing and trash talk, wait till Kai is born and you get to hold him in your arms. Then see if you want to train for a fight on 4 weeks notice when your baby is a month old. #FAMILYFirst #HumbleYourself #URstillanidiot #KTFO” – T.J. Dillashaw

Garbrandt responded to Dillashaw with the following message.

Exactly more reason to fight! Lol you think you you're going to get paid for the Dj fight? Stop listening to Duane's bitch ass, he is making you soft! https://t.co/zsJPbDsZxT

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) February 3, 2018