It has been two years since anyone other than his circle saw TJ Dillashaw in a fight, an official one. Before bowing out dishonorably in 2019 on a two-year suspension after testing positive for EPO at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw. The fight was Dillashaw’s first at Flyweight, after laying waste to the Bantamweight division. It will be hard to pick a favourite or good bet for where he lands on his return, but Pointsbet has a lead worthy of following, and Dillashaw has a point to prove against Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN 27.
Cody Sandhagen is a rising star in the Bantamweight division, and a win against a legend of the field will all but guarantee him a title shot, irrespective of whether current champion, Aljamain Sterling, is willing to give it to him or not. Sandhagen is 7-1 in the UFC, losing only to Sterling, back at UFC 250. The 29-year old has since come back with two stunning victories against two good fighters in Marion Moraes and Frankie Edgar. Going up against Dillashaw would naturally be a big step up from those two and a defining matchup for The Sandman, except, Dillashaw may not be at the peak of his powers anymore.
Now 35-years old and two years off real pro competition, nobody knows what state Dillashaw is returning in, but if Conor McGregor is any indication, then it might only be a shell of his former self. The last we know of, Dillashaw was still at his deadly best when fighting as a Bantamweight. He took out any and everyone that stepped up to the plate. However, times have changed, and even his favourite enemy, Garbrandt, is far from being a solid Bantamweight presence anymore. Dillashaw will have to show that he still has the legs to sustain any kind of defence while dealing with the heavy scrutiny that comes with his performance if he does turn in a great one. What is certain is that Dillashaw will give it his all, not just to mark his return, but for himself, as an ultimate competitor. He will want to prove to himself that he can still be king of the jungle and probably have his sights set on Aljamain if he does take care of Sandhagen.
UFC on ESPN 27 will not be only about these two, though. There is plenty to come from the event, with Kyler Phillips going up against Raulian Paiva, Darren Elkins taking on Darrick Minner, while Maycee Barber faces off with Miranda Maverick. The main and under card are packed, and so too will be the event, as fans get ready to once again behold one of the best to ever do it in the octagon.