“I think Yan’s the better, well-rounded fighter,” says T.J. Dillashaw ahead of UFC 259

“I think Yan’s the better, well-rounded fighter,” says T.J. Dillashaw ahead of UFC 259
T.J. Dillashaw and Petr Yan

The former two-time bantamweight champion, T.J. Dillashaw drops shares his 2 cents on the Bantamweight bout at UFC 259. The UFC 259 takes place on 7th March. The card hosts three title bouts in Light heavyweight, Women’s featherweight, and Bantamweight. T.J seemed interested in the bout between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling.

Petr Yan holds the current title in the bantamweight division and Dillashaw believes it will remain the same after UFC 259. Dillashaw was stripped from the title when he faced suspension for EPO by U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. T.J is determined to come back and fight for that title.

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Dillashaw recently was seen on the “Real Quick with Mike Swick” podcast where he spoke about his return and the bantamweight title bout in March. He expects Yan to defeat Sterling. “I think it’s a tough fight for Yan because of the style of the fighter,” Dillashaw told Mike Swick. “I think Yan’s the better, (more) well-rounded fighter. He’s got more of the skills and more aspects of fighting. But Sterling’s wrestling is very aggressive.

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(Sterling’s) striking is real uncomfortable. He doesn’t really set anything up – he just kind of bombs kicks non-stop, kind of got that distance. But then he can grab a hold of you. He’s got great wrestling and his jiu-jitsu is amazing, too. I watched him take (Cory) Sandhagen out in 45 seconds.”

T.J Dillashaw believes wrestling is the weakest point for Yan

T.J. Dillashaw

Petr Yan has a commendable record of 15-1-0 in the bantamweight division in UFC. The champion has lost only once in his career and it came against Magomed Magomedov. By going off his loss, Yan was defeated by Magomed by unanimous decision. Yan was taken down several times by his opponent which might have favored his opponent in the decision.

“He lost in the past to a guy that’s in Bellator just by getting outwrestled, so we’ll see the gains he’s made in his MMA wrestling,” Dillashaw said. But you can’t underestimate a tough-nosed wrestler. So he can’t be counting his chickens before they hatch because he’s trying to call me out, but he’s got to get past Sterling and stay on top.”T.J said about Aljamain.  

Do you think Aljamain can get the better of the reigning Bantamweight champion?

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