Cejudo won't fight Dillashaw 'ever again' after drug failure

UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo has no interest in a rematch with former champ T.J. Dillashaw.

Months after Cejudo knocked out Dillashaw in early 2019 in his first defense of the flyweight title, Dillashaw failed a drug test for EPO and was suspended by USADA for two years. He lost his title and Cejudo captured the vacant 135-pound belt with a win over Marlon Moraes that June, becoming a two-division champion.

Before Dillashaw's suspension, the expectation was that a rematch would take place at 135 pounds. But now, don't count "The Messenger" among Dillashaw's potential opponents when he's eligible to return to the cage in January 2021.

"I almost feel embarrassed, I feel dirty even talking about T.J.," Cejudo said at UFC 249 media day on Thursday. "I don't think there's anything in my heart that I even want to fight that dude ... I don't even think I ever want to fight that dude ever again. And I truly mean that."

Cejudo, who defends his bantamweight title for the first time against ex-champion Dominick Cruz in the UFC 249 co-main event on Saturday in Jacksonville, said Dillashaw will need to work his way back to the top upon his return.

"He's gotta get his mind right," Cejudo said. "He's gotta be fair. He's gotta go through the line. Who knows how long he's been doing this for ... I don't even know if I could stand next to him and do a staredown, because it's false."