TJ Dillashaw returned to the UFC octagon last night for his first bout since January 2019.
Dillashaw (16-4 MMA record) was tested by rising star and top-3 ranked bantamweight, Cory “Sandman” Sandhagen (14-2). Sandhagen wants to earn a title shot after scoring two impressive victories, including a submission via rear-naked choke against Marlon Moraes and an incredible flying knee KO on UFC gladiator Frankie “The Answer” Edgar.
Sandhagen also hoped to play spoiler in Dillashaw’s return bout. He failed.
https://youtu.be/JykAthBAjd4
It was only a few years ago when Dillashaw was the bantamweight king, as well as one of the top-ranked, pound-for-pound MMA fighters on the planet. He attempted to unify the bantamweight and flyweight titles back in August 2018, dropping down to 125 lbs., to challenge then-champ Henry Cejudo. Dillashaw was KO’d in 32 seconds and, two months later, revealed that he tested positive for banned substance erythropoietin (EPO). Swift punishment followed as Dillashaw received a two-year suspension, which included being stripped of his bantamweight championship.
With “Killashaw” again on the winning end, the big question is what comes next. For Sandhagen, the return road begins.
