Over the weekend the MMA world learned of a Max Holloway injury that ended up cancelling the scheduled UFC 222 main event.
This sent the UFC into a scramble for a suitable replacement.
On top of the UFC’s list was a bantamweight title fight rematch between TJ Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt. All parties agreed to the fight, but once Dillashaw’s head coach heard the news, he told his fighter not to take the fight.
As recently as yesterday it was revealed that Dillashaw would reconsider the UFC’s offer, all they had to do was pay him more.
Now, in a new interview with MMAJunkie.com, Dillashaw reveals that they were not able to work a deal out, all but killing the potential rematch.
Check it out:
“I’m doing some rehab here for the next seven, eight weeks, trying to get back to being healthy.
“They called me, and we were talking about (fighting at UFC 222 against Garbrandt). Anything’s possible, but it just depends. It’s definitely not something I want to do right now.
“I want to enjoy my time with my kid and heal up and get healthy. Obviously, if they need it desperately – that was something that was in talks – but it wasn’t the case. They weren’t able to do anything (for a bigger offer).”
“(Garbrandt) thinks he can talk his way into another title fight like he already did. He didn’t deserve the first shot he got with Dominick Cruz. He did great with it, and he looked awesome. I don’t think that was the healthy Dominick Cruz that we’ve all seen, but I’m not going to let him (say) that he didn’t even deserve.”
“He’s never even defended his belt. It wasn’t even his belt, in my mind. Cruz is the only guy he’s ever fought in the top five. I lost my belt, and I had to go fight No. 1 contenders to get my shot. So he needs to get to the back of the line and work his way back up and prove that he belongs. It’s tough to get there, but it’s even tougher to stay there and get back.”
“I bet Dominick Cruz $100,000 to do a rematch, and it didn’t work out. And I feel like it’s the same scenario. I’ve got bigger fish to fry. I’m looking to be the best pound-for-pound guy. I’m going to go out there and beat Demetrious Johnson and be a double champ, be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and see what happens from there.”
Nate Diaz, Frankie Edgar, and Cody Garbrandt are all open and willing to put on a solid main event for the UFC, and save the card. Though no replacement main event has been announced at this time.
