Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is coming off a big win over Raphael Assuncao at UFC 200 back in July, which returned him to the win column after dropping a controversial split decision to Dominick Cruz back in January of 2016 to lose the bantamweight championship.

Following Dillashaw’s win over Assuncao, there was talk of whether or not he would get the next title shot at bantamweight, and secure himself a rematch with Cruz, however ultimately, the UFC opted to give the title shot to streaking bantamweight prospect Cody Garbrandt, who is an undefeated Team Alpha Male prospect. Garbrandt’s MMA record currently sits at 10-0, which includes a 5-0 run inside the Octagon. Throughout the course of his stint with the UFC, Garbrandt has finished all but one opponent via KO/TKO. The scrap between Cruz and Garbrandt is currently slated to take place at UFC 207 on December 30th, the UFC’s New Years Eve card.

Ahead of the fight, Dillashaw spoke to FanSided to explain why the matchup is a “mockery” of the sport:

“It’s a mockery – it’s a mockery of the sport.The sport should be about the best guys on the planet (fighting each other). What’s the point of having rankings (if they don’t factor into matchups)?”

“More power to the guys that can get away with making tons of money talking trash like Conor McGregor — he’s smart, he’s doing a good job — but it’s unfortunate what it’s doing to the rest of the sport. I want this shit to be real; not about the sideshow promotion.”

“Nothing against Cody Garbrandt; it’s not his fault,” Dillashaw said. “All of us should be pushing for the title — that’s the ultimate goal — but I blame Dominick Cruz and the UFC for letting this happen. I really don’t understand why the UFC is letting Dominick Cruz pick the fights he wants.”

Only time will tell if Garbrandt is able to pull off the upset over the reigning champion, and leave Las Vegas with UFC gold on December 30th.

Give us your predictions for the fight in the comments section below PENN Nation!