So How Will Flyweights Take T.J. Dillashaw’s Comments About Plans to “Kill” The 125 Division?

The writing appears to be on the wall for the UFC’s flyweight division, and recently T.J. Dillashaw made note of that fact, in a manner that might not sit well with the promotion’s 125’ers.

Dillashaw had been pushing for a shot at the flyweight title as far back as last year when Demetrious Johnson was the division’s longtime, ruling king. Then, after Henry Cejudo ended Johnson’s historic reign, he called for a bout with the bantamweight champ, Dillashaw. The latter, however, argued that he’s the one who deserves a chance of winning titles in two divisions, and recently it was announced he’ll get his wish. Dillashaw is moving down to 125 to challenge Cejudo on January 26th at UFC 233.

But, the fight is happening at a time when it’s been reported the UFC plans to shut down the flyweight division. Dana White’s stopped short of saying that’s the case, but recently flyweights like Jose Torres and Justin Scoggins have reported they’ve been cut, in advance of the shutdown.

Well, Dillashaw appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show recently, and the bantamweight champ had this to say about his upcoming bout with Cejudo (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“The UFC wants to get rid of the division and they hired me to go down and close it and get another belt in the process,” Dillashaw said.

“It’s a win-win for me. They’re paying me a f*ck-load of money to move down and kill the 125-pound division and collect a second belt. So, it’s game time.”

“It seems like I’m gonna take it over, man,” said Dillashaw. “I mean, if I’m the champ in both weight classes, why even have it? All the attention is at 135 anyway so at the end of the day, make the guys that they believe should stick around, come up and challenge for the belt.”

You have to wonder if these comments might not sit too well with some of the flyweights who are currently wondering how and where they’re going to get their next check. Especially since Dillashaw’s reporting, he’s making a “f*ck-load of money” to apparently close down the bracket…

Then again, maybe fighters will just see it as Dillashaw relaying the truth. He is a big name; the 125 division does appear to be on the way out, and the bantamweight division does garner more attention.

The comments aside, if you’re a fight purist and a hardcore fan, chances are you’re still hoping that somehow, someway the 125 division sticks around. Could that happen if Cejudo beats Dillashaw on January 26th?