It’s no secret that former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has been attempting to secure a rematch with bantamweight kingpin Dominick Cruz.
When Cruz made his highly anticipated return to the Octagon at the start of 2016, ‘The Dominator’ reclaimed the bantamweight championship belt he never lost inside the Octagon as he picked up a razor thin split decision win over TJ Dillashaw.
Given that the fight was an extremely close one, many expected Dillashaw to be given an immediate rematch against Cruz. That wasn’t the case however, and Cruz was then given a trilogy fight with Urijah Faber at UFC 199. Cruz won the fight in dominant fashion, picking up a unanimous decision win over his longtime nemesis.
Following that, Dillashaw picked up an impressive unanimous decision win over Raphael Assuncao at UFC 200, setting the stage for the #1 ranked bantamweight to get a potential rematch with Cruz.
That hasn’t been the case however, rather than booking Cruz vs. Dillashaw II, the UFC has reportedly been looking to book a bantamweight showdown between Cruz and the undefeated #6 ranked bantamweight, Cody Garbrandt.
Garbrandt, who has been on a tear of the UFC’s bantamweight division, is in the midst of a 5-fight win streak inside the Octagon that most recently saw him TKO Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 202.
Prior to his win over Mizugaki, Garbrandt and Cruz exchanged numerous verbal blows in interviews, however it wasn’t until after Garbrandt’s win over Mizugaki that the pair verbally agreed to a fight. Since then, reports have surfaced that the UFC is looking to book a fight between the pair for UFC 207.
Now, with former bantamweight champion left without a fight, ‘The Viper’ is looking to up the stakes and bait Dominick Cruz into a fight.
He took to Instagram:
“Yo what’s up guys, first things first I need to congratulate @dominickcruz for making the comeback he did. But it’s time to put your money where your mouth is, tired of all the drama no more campaigning or talking shit to get this title fight rematch. I’m willing to bet 100k that I beat you in a rematch, you win I fight for free you lose you match my bet. Time to put up or shut up! I believe I’m the better fighter and just want to prove it. Where you at, don’t be scared homie. this is as real as it gets! You Talking about money fights, look no more here it is! I obviously believe in myself do you? @musclepharm @everlast @waspcam @hoytbowhunting @malibuboats @ludwigmma @ufc”