TJ: I will prove I am greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the world against Cejudo

Bloodyelbow.com

T.J. Dillashaw feels it’s his time to shine at UFC Fight Night on ESPN+1.

The reigning bantamweight champion is already considered one of the best fighters in the world, but the 32-year-old wants to immortalize his legacy by becoming the UFC’s next ‘champ-champ.’

Dillashaw will drop down to 125 lbs. to challenge Henry Cejudo for the flyweight title in the UFC Fight Night 143 main event but, speaking to MMA Junkie at a recent media luncheon in Los Angeles, The Ultimate Fighter 14 finalist said that the belt is just an accessory.

It’s the win — not the belt — that will help solidify Dillashaw as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

“It’s not just so much to be the champ-champ,” Dillashaw said ahead of his title fight against Cejudo. “It’s just that I feel that I’m the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the world. I train very hard, I put everything in there, I’m a very well-rounded fighter, and it’s about time to get to prove it …

“I want to show my dominance everywhere and really take that No. 1 spot. I want to be able to have that throne. That’s why I was chasing (Demetrious Johnson), and now I’m just chasing my own legacy.”

If Dillashaw pulls off the win this weekend, the Colorado-based talent will become one of four fighters to hold titles in two separate weight classes concurrently, joining the likes of Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes.

UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw takes place this Saturday, Jan. 19 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.