After his UFC 217 win over his arch rival Cody Garbrandt, TJ Dillashaw once again began calling for a flyweight title fight with dominant divisional king Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.
“I mean that’s the fight that needs to happen. It has to happen,” Dillashaw explained on the latest episode of BJ Penn Radio. “I mean, it’s got fireworks written all over it. I’ve always said I wanna be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and that’s where he’s at. I’m setting my goals high. I’m chasing him down.”
While this prospective champion-versus-champion fight is undeniably compelling, it’s not Dillashaw’s only option. He could also defend his bantamweight title – say, against the streaking Jimmie Rivera.
Rivera was originally expected to fight Dominick Cruz at UFC 219, but unfortunately Cruz was forced out of the fight with an injury. Now without an opponent, Rivera is hoping Dillashaw will step in and give him a title shot on the card.
Until last night, after all, the card had almost no prospects for a main event.
I need someone for Dec 30th and @ufc needs a main event! Lets go @TJDillashaw. You only fought for 7 and a half minutes, I know you’re in shape and healthy. Step up and stop trying to run down to 125.
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) November 14, 2017
Rivera also had something to say about the recent buzz about a fight between TJ Dillashaw and his former mentor Urijah Faber.
Saw @TJDillashaw interview on @MMAFighting . @UrijahFaber is the reason you got into MMA,@ufc and won a title. Then you leave. I have an old school Martial Arts upbringing and loyalty is huge. I looked up to Urijah as a legend and beat him, I’ll whoop your ass 10 times worse.
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) November 14, 2017
Do you want to see TJ Dillashaw and Jimmie Rivera fight at UFC 219?
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 15/11/2017.