Remember T.J. Dillashaw’s final fight in the UFC? The former bantamweight champ took a massive gamble by stepping in injured against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280. The risk backfired—his shoulder gave out mid-fight, and ‘Funkmaster’ sealed the finish within two rounds. Years later, Dillashaw still claims he could have beaten Sterling that night. Now, the two are trading shots again. But here’s the twist—’FunkMaster’ didn’t get humbled by Dillashaw… but by his best friend instead!
While speaking on the JAXXON podcast, T.J. Dillashaw claimed he could have defeated Sterling in their final fight and downplayed the former champ’s striking abilities. “I was fighting a guy that I felt like I could still beat with the arm that I had, I felt like I could’ve knocked him out. Yeah, [with one arm]. His striking is complete garbage. I know I’m gonna have to have shoulder surgery, so I’m gonna be out for another year and a half. I’m 36 years old. It’s kinda like, this might be my last f—— shot. Ends up, yes, it was because my shoulder was so bad.”
He further added, “My shoulder was so bad… So it’s like, why am I gonna pass up this opportunity? Might be my last shot ever to be a three-time world champion [and] get my belt back [The odds] were f—— awesome. I’m delusionally optimistic, but I really believe that’s also what got me to the belt. I believed in myself so much that I was able to push through so much negativity and get to the top.”
After the defeat, the former two-time bantamweight champion retired from the sport due to lingering shoulder problems. Dillashaw’s comments were shared by the JAXXON podcast on their X handle, and Sterling took a hilarious dig at Dillashaw’s claims.
“Respect to TJ, but 3 extra arms wouldn’t change that fight outcome. I was bigger and BETTER. What appears as “garbage” isn’t the same until we step in there, and you see firsthand how I beat so many guys,” wrote Sterling on his X handle. As he was waiting for a response from Dillashaw, a fan took to the comment section to add a rather funny statement: “You are lucky Merab didn’t want to fight you.” Guess what? Sterling responded to this statement as well, resharing the fan’s comment on his timeline. The former bantamweight champion added, “I know. It would’ve been awful for me.”
I know. It would’ve been awful for me https://t.co/w5mPI5ej7b
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 18, 2025
When Merab Dvalishvili joined the Serra-Longo Fight Team in New York, he didn’t know he would find such a good friend in the form of Aljamain Sterling. Their relationship has been built on mutual respect and honor, which has prevented them from fighting each other. Despite being the number 1 contender at 135 pounds for a long time, the Georgian refused to fight his teammate. And after Sterling was defeated by Sean O’Malley at UFC 288, he returned the favor by moving to the featherweight division, making way for Dvalishvili to shine.
Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili will always remain friends, but the former champion has issued a warning—not only to his friend but to the entire bantamweight division—about a looming storm in the form of Patchy Mix. Let’s take a look at what the ‘Funkmaster’ has to say about Mix’s signing.
Aljamain Sterling voiced praises for Patchy Mix’s fighting skills
The UFC has officially signed former Bellator 135lbs champion Patchy Mix, who will now face the #10-ranked bantamweight contender Mario Bautista at UFC 316. This matchup was arranged after Marlon Vera, Bautista’s original opponent, pulled out of the fight due to injury. With a career record of 20 victories and only 1 defeat, Mix is riding a seven-fight winning streak in his career. When the news about his signing was shared on the internet, Sterling was happy as he wrote, “Great signing for a top-level talent.”
When fans asked the former bantamweight champion for his opinion on Mix’s signing and his debut against Bautista, Sterling confidently stated that he knows Patchy Mix will shock everyone.“Patchy takes him back and backpacks him. If Mario shoots, he’s in big trouble and getting finished.”
He further added, “His path to victory is pushing him on the cage and/or striking. If Patchy closes the distance and gets an underhook, like all his other fights, the fight is as good as over. Interesting fight. Sterling is confident that if the fight goes to the ground, it will be game over for Bautista because of Mix’s career record. Out of his 20 victories, Mix has won 13 by submission. Well, the fans will have to wait until UFC 316 to witness the fight. Given that, what are your thoughts on their clash? State your opinion in the comments below.
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