Sterling slams Dillashaw: 'Your legacy is trash'
Aljamain Sterling is only hours removed from his successful title defense against Petr Yan, but the UFC bantamweight champion is already squabbling with a potential next opponent.
Sterling went off on TJ Dillashaw at the UFC 273 postfight press conference, bringing up the former champ's past use of a banned substance as a reason he wants to fight him.
"If anyone's mentally weak, it's that guy," Sterling said of Dillashaw, according to MMA Fighting. "The guy needed steroids and EPO to catapult his career, to even win as many fights as he (has) in the UFC. His whole UFC tenure is tainted."
Your legacy is trash. You cheated after being sent to the shadow realms from John Dodson. Your old teammates outted you years ago 😩
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 10, 2022
How does it feel to know you never accomplished anything in the UFC, the right way? You really have a little man complex. https://t.co/0Kv5t5vQmY
After Sterling edged Yan by split decision on Saturday, UFC president Dana White said the promotion will "probably" book a fight between Dillashaw and Sterling.
Dillashaw was suspended for two years by USADA after failing a 2019 drug test for EPO. He returned to the Octagon last summer, defeating top bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen to storm up to the No. 2 position in the division.
Sterling, who previously called out Dillashaw in his postfight interview directly following his victory over Yan, reiterated he would welcome a matchup with the 36-year-old.
"I can't wait to punch him in the face," Sterling said. "That would be somebody that I would enjoy punching. He's got good skill, but the guy's a cheat. He's dirty. I would like an opportunity to slap him up, and we can figure out who's No. 1 again."