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T.J. Dillashaw Reveals a Plethora of Injuries Going Into His Comeback Fight at UFC Vegas 32

Published 07/25/2021, 12:25 PM EDT

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Former 2-time bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw made a successful return to the ring after serving 2 years ban. He fought and defeated title contender Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Vegas 32.

While the win wasn’t so smooth for him as he would have liked but he will take it any day. He got cuts and his body had bruises from the assaults of the ‘Sandman’, but that wasn’t the only injuries he dealt with.

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Coming into this match, Dillashaw had multiple injuries taking a toll on his body. In a post-fight interview, he detailed all the injuries that threatened to play a spoilsport in his comeback match.

“The May 8 camp went smooth- other than getting cut, I was able to spar,” Dillashaw said. “The second camp around, I could not stay healthy. The first injury was I pinched this nerve in my foot doing a slider board, and up until two days ago, I had to work out with shoes on.”

He continued, “then I tore my MCL in my right knee and hurt my left shoulder. So, it was a real rough camp.”

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It was perhaps one of the most important matches for the former champion. He last made his appearance two years ago in a losing cause against Henry Cejudo. He had to win this to set his path and claim towards a title glory again.

“I didn’t want to talk about it (injuries), because I didn’t want to make any excuses,” he further added.

T.J. Dillashaw knows who he is fighting next

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When Dillashaw decided to make a return, it was evident that he was returning for the gold that once rested on his shoulders. With a victory now, he knows exactly what he has to do next for a championship match.

In the interview, he talked about the opponent he is likely to face. “I want my belt back,” Dillashaw told reporters. “It’s my belt. I want it back, I wasn’t impressed with (Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan’s) last fight. I think Yan’s going to get the win (in the rematch). Aljamain did not look very good, and that’s who I see fighting next.”

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It will be interesting who he faces next. Apart from Yan and Sterling, there is also a possible clash with former foe Cody Garbrandt in the making. For now, though, he will be content to see the back of a dangerous-looking Cory Sandhagen.

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Written by:

Akshyay Srichandan Mahapatra

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Akshyay Mahapatra is a UFC author for EssentiallySports. He wished to combine his passion for the UFC (that he has been following since 2008) as well as his love for writing. This motivated him to enter the world of combat sports journalism.
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