TJ Dillashaw requires at least one win before getting a title shot.
That’s according to UFC bantamweight contender Frankie Edgar who will be looking to earn the next title shot himself with a potential win over Cory Sandhagen on February 6.
Although a win over the No. 2-ranked Sandhagen would likely earn him the next shot, it’s not guaranteed either.
The former bantamweight champion Dillashaw — whose two-year USADA suspension for a positive EPO test expires this month — could be a big reason for that.
“Yeah, it’s another good guy in the mix,” Edgar said on the Schmozone Podcast recently of Dillashaw. “I don’t know who he’s going to match up with. I know he’s calling for a title, but we’ll see what happens. There’s a lot of guys in the mix right now. Bantamweight is a hot division and add TJ to the mix and it makes it even deeper.”
Given that Dillashaw is a former two-time bantamweight champion and the fact that he never lost his title in a fight, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a title shot upon his return.
But as far as Edgar is concerned, Dillashaw needs to get a win first.
“Yeah, he’s got to go in there and win,” Edgar said. “That’s for sure. Does he deserve a title shot right away? No, I don’t think so.
“There’s still some unknowns — you don’t know how he’s going to react when he’s not able to take steroids. And who knows how long he’s been taking steroids and what not. I’m not one to point fingers and say this and that. If he goes in there and wins a fight then he’s in the mix.”
So who should Dillashaw face then?
Rob Font is coming off a first-round knockout win over Marlon Moraes and recently called Dillashaw out. And Edgar believes he’s the ideal return opponent.
“Rob Font looked really good against Marlon,” he added. “Came back from a pretty one-sided round and was able to put Marlon away. Marlon’s a great friend of mine and one of the best bantamweights in the world. So that could be a good matchup. Him versus Rob Font.”
You can watch the full interview below: