So TJ Dillashaw isn’t fighting Demetrious Johnson next.
After all that, it appears as though an immediate bantamweight title fight rematch between TJ Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt will headline UFC 222.
The card was originally set to feature Max Holloway defending his featherweight belt against Frankie Edgar in the main event, but the champion has been ruled out with a leg injury. This means that for the second time, a featherweight title fight between Holloway and Edgar has been scrapped. The pair were originally set to headline UFC 218, but Edgar was forced to withdraw with injury.
Combate are reporting that the UFC have wasted no time in booking a replacement fight. The Brazilian outlet claims that TJ Dillashaw will defend his bantamweight throne against Cody Garbrandt in the headline slot. This will mark an immediate rematch of their thrilling fight at UFC 217, which Dillashaw won via second-round knockout.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! #UFC222 https://t.co/CX0BqunGc8
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 3, 2018
One of the reasons why this match-up is so interesting is because it was thought that Dillashaw was moving down to take on Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title. Dillashaw called out ‘Mighty Mouse’ after UFC 217 and the promotion, Dana White and the fighters all seemed to be on board with the booking. that fight was expected to be booked for international fight week in July, four months after UFC 222.
Edgar is being targetted to remain on the card. Several reports state that the promotion are discussing matching ‘the Answer’ against undefeated rising prospect Brian Ortega. That fight is likely to serve as the co-main event.
https://twitter.com/Cody_Nolove/status/959886601282142208
Never a dull day in the UFC.
