TJ Dillashaw, the two-time bantamweight champion, will look to return to the Octagon in a big way in 2021. After being slapped with a 24-month drug suspension from the NYSAC, Dillashaw has been training hard, as evident by his Instagram posts. Dillashaw’s suspension will be officially lifted on January 19th. Here are Dillashaw’s top options in the bantamweight, flyweight, and featherweight division.
Three Options for TJ Dillashaw’s Return
Bantamweight (Most Likely)
The Team Ludwig member has ben a staple of the 135-lb. division since his arrival to the UFC in 2011. A return to the bantamweight division simply makes sense. Currently, the division is stacked with talent. From newcomers like Cory Sandhagen to seasoned veterans like Frankie Edgar, the bantamweight division is as interesting as ever. Although a trilogy fight with Cody Garbrandt is an option, its not a likely or interesting option. If Dillashaw were to return to the 135-lb. division, Aljamain Sterling would be a likely first opponent.
Flyweight (Not Likely)
Dillashaw’s sole fight in the 125-lb. division was his last fight against Henry Cejudo. As history would tell, this fight did not go over well for the Californian. “Triple C” was able to put away Dillashaw right before the 1st round bell, successfully defending his title. Shortly after the fight, Dillashaw voluntarily relinquished the UFC Bantamweight Championship, due to the implications of his drug suspensions. With all these negatives, its hard to imagine Dillashaw returning to the division. In addition, Dillashaw has looked massive in his Instagram posts, and a return to such a low weight seems highly implausible.
Featherweight (The Wild Card)
Considering TJ’s current mass, the 2017 Fight of the Year winner could jump to the featherweight division. With a loaded top fifteen, Dillashaw could very well fight anyone at 145. Edson Barboza, Dan Ige, Jeremy Stephens, Josh Emmett, Calvin Kattar…all of these fights promise fireworks.