Ali Akbar RosadyAljamain Sterling, the reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion, has openly expressed profound personal satisfaction following his decisive victory over T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 280. The win, which marked Sterling’s second successful title defense, not only solidified his position atop the 135-pound division but also provided what Sterling described as a sense of vindication stemming from his long-standing belief that Dillashaw had utilized performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) throughout his career.
Sterling’s comments, made during an appearance on the Love & War podcast with Dominick Cruz, underscored the personal animosity that fueled his performance against the former two-time bantamweight champion. "That was a fun one," Sterling stated, reflecting on the UFC 280 bout. "Because I just knew he was a cheat for a very, very long time. I’ve known from his—See, I don’t even want to say that. I don’t want to say who told me, but people from his side of where he was training was saying that he’s the one that was showing people how to do it."
The October 2022 contest at UFC 280 saw Sterling secure a second-round technical knockout over Dillashaw. The fight was marked by Dillashaw’s visibly compromised left shoulder, an injury he later revealed had plagued him entering the octagon. Despite Dillashaw’s physical limitations, Sterling’s performance was dominant, culminating in a ground-and-pound stoppage that added a significant scalp to his championship reign. Sterling’s professional record now stands at 24 wins and 4 losses, while Dillashaw, who retired after the loss, concluded his career with 17 wins and 5 losses.
Dillashaw’s history with performance-enhancing drugs is a well-documented chapter in UFC lore. In 2019, he tested positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), a prohibited substance, following a drug test conducted by the UFC’s then-anti-doping partner, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The adverse findings led to Dillashaw being stripped of his bantamweight title and receiving a two-year suspension from competition. Dillashaw publicly confessed to using EPO, asserting that his usage was limited to the period leading up to his January 2019 flyweight title challenge against Henry Cejudo. Subsequent retrospective testing of earlier samples appeared to corroborate Dillashaw’s claim of a limited period of use.
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However, Sterling remains unconvinced by Dillashaw’s narrative. He frequently references public accusations made by Dillashaw’s former teammates at Team Alpha Male, notably Cody Garbrandt, who alleged that Dillashaw had demonstrated to other fighters at the gym how to utilize supplements, implying a broader culture of performance enhancement. "I can’t say for sure I have hard evidence other than the fact that his former gym, and I like to think where there’s smoke, there’s fire," Sterling commented. He drew a parallel to his own conduct, asserting the unlikelihood of similar accusations being levied against him due to his transparent career. "Even with me, even if I was disliked, I think it would be a very hard thing for someone to ever come out and say I’ve done something because I’ve never talked about doing anything, shown anybody anything, there would never be anyone who could come out their face and say that ever."
The animosity between the two fighters has been reciprocal. Prior to their championship clash, Dillashaw had publicly characterized Sterling as "the weakest champion," a statement he later reiterated as justification for accepting the fight despite his shoulder injury. This ongoing verbal sparring indicates a deeply rooted rivalry that extends beyond the confines of the octagon.
Sterling’s criticism of Dillashaw transcends the singular failed drug test, encompassing a broader judgment of Dillashaw’s character. He expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of rigorous follow-up from the media regarding the initial accusations. "It was just interesting that nobody had any follow-up questions," Sterling observed. "He was just like, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, sure, I showed everyone how to do it.’ And then that was it. I was like, what is this, high school? Like, you guys are not going to ask questions as the media? What do you mean he showed you guys how to do it? What exactly did he show you guys how to do? That’s all I’m saying and then this is not even including the other people that I’m talking about."
He concluded with a moral stance on the issue of performance enhancement in combat sports. "It is what it is, he passed, he passed. Only him, he can sleep at night with his conscience knowing if he actually did or not. T.J. just seems like one of those types of guys who just doesn’t give a s*** anyway other than about himself. I know it’s a fight, it’s either you or him, but in terms of taking something and really damaging somebody? I don’t know, I feel like I have a little bit more of a moral ground than that… I know the goal and objective is to hurt your opponent, but if I’m going to enhance myself to do that, I think it’s a little bit dirty."
Beyond the Octagon: News and Developments in MMA
UFC Event Timing Shift Imminent: In a significant alteration to its broadcast schedule, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed that all major numbered events, beginning with UFC 324, are slated to commence an hour earlier. This adjustment is reportedly a permanent change implemented under the organization’s broadcasting agreement with Paramount, aiming to optimize viewership and fan experience across various international time zones. The new start times will affect preliminary cards and main card broadcasts, potentially aligning more favorably with prime-time viewing in key markets.
Cejudo Mentors Talbott Ahead of UFC 323: Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo has been playing a pivotal mentoring role for rising bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott. Talbott, who holds a professional record of 8 wins and 2 losses, is preparing for his upcoming bout this Saturday, and has credited Cejudo with providing "career-changing advice." This mentorship highlights the collaborative spirit sometimes seen among fighters, even those with significant career accolades like Cejudo, who continues to influence the sport’s next generation.
Controversy Surrounds Pimblett’s Interim Title Shot: Veteran UFC fighter Matt Brown has openly criticized the promotion’s matchmaking decisions, specifically taking issue with Paddy Pimblett being granted an interim title shot. Brown, known for his candid opinions, labeled the decision "f***ing ridiculous," questioning Pimblett’s championship credentials and comparing his trajectory to other contenders in the lightweight division. Pimblett (21-3 MMA, 5-0 UFC) has been a significant draw for the UFC since his debut, but his rapid ascent to a potential title opportunity has sparked debate among fighters and analysts regarding meritocracy within the sport’s ranking system.
Eye Pokes Continue to Plague UFC Bouts: Belal Muhammad has become the latest fighter to fall victim to an eye poke during a recent bout, highlighting a recurring issue within mixed martial arts. Such incidents, often accidental but occasionally perceived as intentional, can significantly impact the outcome of a fight and raise questions about officiating consistency and preventative measures. The frequency of these occurrences has prompted ongoing discussions within the MMA community about potential rule adjustments or stricter enforcement.
Upcoming Fight Announcements: The UFC has confirmed a flyweight contest between Alex Perez (25-10) and Charles Johnson (18-7) for UFC 324, scheduled for January 24. This addition bolsters the card for one of the promotion’s early events of the new year, featuring two seasoned competitors looking to climb the ranks in the competitive flyweight division.
Multimedia and Social Commentary
The lead-up to UFC 323 has been extensively covered, with media day proceedings streaming live. Interviews featuring Henry Cejudo and Payton Talbott provided further insights into their preparations, while Demetrious Johnson’s sit-down with Raul Rosas Jr. offered a cross-generational perspective on the sport. Alexander Volkanovski’s training updates for his anticipated rematch with Diego Lopes also garnered significant attention, as did the latest installment of UFC 323 Embedded, offering behind-the-scenes access.
On the The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, Damon Martin and Matt Brown engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the controversial UFC 324 and UFC 325 title fights, with particular emphasis on the perceived deservingness of Paddy Pimblett’s interim title opportunity. The podcast also provided a comprehensive preview of the upcoming UFC 323 card, offering expert analysis and predictions.
Social media platforms have been abuzz with fight week schedules, discussions surrounding potential high-profile matchups such as Khamzat Chimaev’s next opponent, and general anticipation for upcoming events. The definitive fight week schedule has been widely shared, indicating the heightened excitement leading into the weekend’s fights. Personal messages of support, such as well wishes for Matt Frevola and a fighter recovering from injury, also circulated among the MMA community.
Final Reflections on the UFC Landscape
As the Ultimate Fighting Championship approaches what many observers consider the conclusion of its traditional pay-per-view era, the organization is poised to transition into a new, increasingly subscription-based future. The upcoming UFC 323 event marks one of the final major broadcasts under the current model before a significant shift in content delivery and fan engagement. Following next week’s events, a brief hiatus in UFC programming is scheduled, with no major events slated until January 24. This period allows for reflection on the evolving dynamics of combat sports broadcasting and the anticipation of new viewing experiences for fans worldwide.
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