UFC champion TJ Dillashaw warns Henry Cejudo: I am going to run through him

CAPE TOWN – “Henry Cejudo made his biggest mistake calling me out after his last fight.”

These were the words of UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, who will drop a weight division in his quest to become one of the greatest fighters on the planet.

After shocking the world with a title win over Demetrious Johnson, flyweight champion Cejudo called out Dillashaw in a fight that will be aired live on SuperSport on Sunday at Fight Night in Brooklyn, New York.

“I never back down from a challenge and I accepted it with open arms,” said Dillashaw, who could join an elite group of fighters including Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes and Daniel Cormier should he get the W on the night, ultimately declaring him the ‘Champ Champ’ (flyweight and bantamweight) of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

“He won’t defend his belt, just like Cody Garbrandt. I am going to run through him. I will be the last flyweight champion ever,” said Dillashaw.

Late last year, following a long rivalry between former friends and gym partners, Dillashaw put to bed the questions about his current superiority over Garbrandt after beating him for the second time in nine months at Staples Centre to confirm his reign over the bantamweight division.

Those were the only two occasions in which Garbrandt had the opportunity to defend his belt after claiming it initially in a dominant fight against Dominick Cruz.

Dillashaw brings everything you want to the octagon, sublime leg artillery, crisp punching, and high-level grappling, but what is most impressive about the champion is the way he moves like a butterfly on the canvas, always keeping his opponent guessing.

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Here’s how I cut weight yesterday, lightened up the wallet 😆. Hit the city shopping at my favorite spots after the press conference with my team 🛍 @buscemi @allsaints. For me no better way to get the mind off being hungry. What’s your favorite stores in NY? Already on weight this morning and ready to bulk up 💪🏼

A post shared by tjdillashaw(@tjdillashaw) on Jan 18, 2019 at 4:19am PST

Cejudo, on the other hand, is a champion wrestler. At 21, he became the youngest Olympic gold medallist in US wrestling history.

He too boasts a strong boxing and ground game, but he will be able to handle the movement and speed of Dillashaw?

“He is not going to outlast my cardio, I am going to finish TJ in spectacular fashion,” said Cejudo.

Keep on counting me out . When the lights shine bright I’m at my best and I will conquer . Everyone will be reminded of this on Saturday on #ufconEsPnplus. Download the @ESPNPlus app and let’s Save the flyweight division together Now can I count on you to tune in? pic.twitter.com/pYwFmV12xB

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) January 14, 2019

“Champions never go down and win belts, they go up and win belts. I am going to make TJ pay for every pound he drops. Henry is going to put it on him. I know I can break TJ, especially at flyweight,” said the current flyweight champion.

Added UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier: “TJ is maybe the best UFC bantamweight of all time, but he is dropping an extra 10 pounds, trying to become a two-division champion.”