Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw was initially set to face off against reigning champion Cody “No Love” Garbrandt at UFC 213 in July. However, a back injury has pulled “No Love” from the title fight. Now, Dillashaw’s team is looking for a matchup with UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.
As reported and transcribed by MMA Mania, Duane Ludwig, head coach to T.J. Dillashaw, recently explained in an interview that the former champion’s time to face Johnson is now.
“If there’s any time for TJ to drop down to 125, the sooner the better. He won’t be able to make ’25 as the years go on and he matures and gets bigger. If there’s any time to do it, it’s now.” Ludwig explained.
“He’s working with Sam Calavitta, who is a really good strength and conditioning coach who also has the dieting down,” Ludwig said. “So it’s working out well that we do fight Demetrious. We split up the camp to a month later [in August] and have more time to work with Sam Calavitta and get the weight down, get nice and strong at belt weight, get the belt, pop back up to 135 and get that belt either later in the year or next year.”
