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TJ Dillashaw believes his former teammate-turned-rival Cody Garbrandt still has the skills to be a UFC champion but is lacking in two significant components.
In a conversation with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and internet personality Bear Degidio on the JAXXON Podcast, Dillashaw claimed he was over his old rivalry with Garbrandt and was hoping his former opponent would pick up a win at UFC 300. Dillashaw broke down his thoughts on 'No Love,' saying he believes the former bantamweight champion has 'lost confidence' due to waning durability.
On the podcast, Dillashaw said:
"I hate to see a fighter lose his confidence because when you lose your confidence your skills go downhill... He [Cody Garbrandt] unfortunately doesn't have a chin anymore. People have seen that he can get cracked. He's gotten knocked out. After I beat him he got knocked out a few more times and so everyone was ridiculing him for being knocked out and overly aggressive."
Check out TJ Dillashaw's comments below:
Dillashaw continued:
"The guys a f****** killer. He's super f****** fast, he's got power [and] his wrestling is amazing. He could be a world champion again."
Dillashaw, 38, explained on the podcast that while he still has a keen eye for the sport and enjoys training, he will likely never return to the UFC as he continues to deal with the shoulder injury that caused his loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280.
Watch the full video from JAXXON PODCAST on YouTube below:
TJ Dillashaw's history with Cody Garbrandt
In a classic clash between two former teammates and friends, TJ Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt arguably had the most renowned rivalry in UFC bantamweight history.
Both fighters began their careers at Team Alpha Male but Dillashaw followed eventual head coach Duane Ludwig after the latter unceremoniously left the team. The drama unfolded in the octagon as Dillashaw would hand Garbrandt the first loss of his career to end his title reign.
With the bad blood used as a key marketing tool by the UFC, the two would run back for an immediate rematch with Dillashaw winning the fight once again by TKO.
Following the two losses to Dillashaw, Garbrandt would suffer another knockout loss to Pedro Munhoz seven months later and take an extended hiatus.
'No Love' would bounce back in 2020 with a highlight-reel knockout of his own against Raphael Assuncao but then drop a one-sided decision to Rob Font before suffering another knockout loss to Kai Kara-France in a failed attempt at dropping down to flyweight.
