EXCLUSIVE | TJ Dillashaw targets flyweight title fight with Henry Cejudo: ‘I’ll take that gold medal from him as well’

UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has no shortage of options in terms of opponents for his next fight, as Dominick Cruz, Marlon Moraes, Raphael Assuncao and a host of other top bantamweights are all eager for the chance to challenge him.

From the sounds of it, however, TJ Dillashaw is now determined to drop down to flyweight and challenge new divisional champion Henry Cejudo for his title.

Shortly after Henry Cejudo captured the UFC flyweight title with a historic defeat of long-time champion Demetrious Johnson, he called for the opportunity to move up to bantamweight and challenge Dillashaw for his title. While Dillashaw wasn’t particularly receptive of this idea, the notion of dropping down to flyweight and attempting to steal Cejudo’s title is simply too exciting for him ignore.

He hopes to take Cejudo’s belt, and actively defend both the UFC bantamweight and flyweight titles from there.

“Man, it’s time to whip Cejudo’s ass,” TJ Dillashaw said on episode 100 of BJPENN.COM Radio. “It’s time to get out there and prove that I’m the best fighter in the world, have two belts, defend both of them. When have you ever seen a champion defend two different belts? I’m looking to be active. I want that belt, I’ll defend both of them. I’ll be as active as possible, I’ll line my pockets full of cash and walk out with a smile on my face. As long as I’m active, as long as I’m not sitting on the bench.”

“I’m active, screw it, if I got two belts, I’m gonna go down there and do this. Why not defend them back to back and be a little more active? As soon as I get can get that 125 pound belt, stack the weight back on you and right back to the gym and fight for 35. I can be active, I’m a workhorse.”

Clearly fired up about the prospect of capturing a second UFC title, TJ Dillashaw says he’ll take the Olympic gold medal Henry Cejudo won in wrestling while he’s at it.

“I’ll take that gold medal from him as well.”

This, of course, is not the first time TJ Dillashaw has talked about challenging for the flyweight title. At the height of Demetrious Johnson’s reign, there was ample discussion about Dillashaw dropping down and challenging the then-dominant flyweight king. Unfortunately, this fight never came to fruition.

Dillashaw is hoping that, if he can take Cejudo’s title, the former champion Johnson will have no other option but to accept a fight with him. That is, if he ever wants his title back.

“[Johnson] said get that super fight [with Cejudo and Dillashaw] out of the way,” Dillashaw said. “Once again, Demetrious Johnson is afraid to fight me.”

“He’s been running from me this whole time, so this is a perfect way for me to not let him run, go down there take the belt for the division.”

“[Then] I’m the one with the target on my back, so it’s the best possibility for me.”

Do you want to see TJ Dillashaw challenge for the UFC flyweight title?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/9/2018.