Years after their bout at UFC 280, UFC legend TJ Dillashaw described Aljamain Sterling`s striking technique as “pure garbage”.
Former UFC bantamweight champions Aljamain Sterling and TJ Dillashaw had their title fight at UFC 280 years ago, but this hasn`t stopped the former rivals from rekindling their animosity.
Sterling defeated Dillashaw via TKO in the UFC 280 co-main event, defending his bantamweight championship belt and pushing back the division`s former king. Dillashaw had returned after a serious leg injury suffered midway through his split-decision win over Cory Sandhagen in 2021, which marked his comeback following a two-year USADA suspension.
Despite Sterling finishing the fight against Dillashaw with brutal ground-and-pound in the Octagon, Dillashaw still speaks dismissively of Sterling`s striking technique.
Aljamain Sterling Responds to TJ Dillashaw`s Recent Comments About Their UFC 280 Fight
During a recent appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, Dillashaw reflected on his loss to Sterling and offered a harsh assessment of his former opponent.
“I was fighting a guy who I felt I could still beat even with the arm I had,” Dillashaw said about Sterling.
“I felt like I could have knocked him out. Yes, [with one arm]. His striking is complete garbage.”
Sterling`s grappling, rather than his striking, has always been his strength throughout his career. However, in recent years, Sterling has significantly improved his skills, especially before his fight with Dillashaw at UFC 280.
After Dillashaw`s comments quickly spread, Sterling wasted no time in responding in a recent post on X.
“Respect to TJ, but 3 extra arms wouldn`t have changed the outcome of that fight. I was bigger and BETTER,” Sterling replied.
“What looks like `garbage` isn`t actually so until we step into the cage, and you see firsthand how I`ve defeated so many guys.”
After a follower questioned Dillashaw`s ego, Sterling pointed out the “blind spot” with which the former champion entered the Octagon at UFC 280.
“It`s definitely a meaningful win. He genuinely thought he would win and knock me out. It was very significant for him. He just didn`t know he was out of his league. And that was his mistake,” Sterling said.
Dillashaw announced his retirement shortly after losing to Sterling at UFC 280, having suffered a catastrophic shoulder injury in the bout. Although Dillashaw has hinted at a possible return in recent years, it`s unlikely the UFC legend will step back into the Octagon due to his troubled medical history.
Aljamain Sterling Offers an “Honest Answer” Regarding Sean O`Malley`s Immediate Title Rematch
Sterling`s standout teammate, Merab Dvalishvili, is set to face a familiar opponent, Sean O`Malley, at UFC 316 next month. This is a rematch of their UFC 306 clash where Dvalishvili dethroned O`Malley by unanimous decision to claim the bantamweight title.
Many criticized O`Malley`s immediate rematch against Dvalishvili, but Sterling, surprisingly, was not among them. While Sterling believes he himself deserved an immediate rematch against O`Malley after his bantamweight title reign ended, he thinks O`Malley`s star power justifies the UFC 316 booking.
Between fights with O`Malley, Dvalishvili defeated the previously unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov by decision at UFC 311 to defend the belt. O`Malley hasn`t fought since the first bout with Dvalishvili, as he underwent hip surgery.
