UFC
T.J. Dillashaw reacts to Renan Barao's UFC 177 removal: "I mentally broke him and he doesn't want to fight me"
Aug 29, 2014 - 10:45:53 PM T.J. Dillashaw reacts to Renan Barao's UFC 177 removal: "I mentally broke him and he doesn't want to fight me"

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"He hasn't missed weight at any of his fights. It's more like I mentally broke him and he doesn't want to fight me. I think the coaches wanted the fight more than he did. He should have done this a couple weeks ago, not today. I don't want to be a diva champion. I'm the champion of the world, I'm going to fight whoever the UFC puts in front of me. I just want to prove everyone that I'm here to fight and I'm here to do my job. ... I could have [said no to Soto], but I don't want to be that guy. I want to be the hero and save the day."

-UFC Bantamweight Champ T.J. Dillashaw reacts to Renan Barao's removal from UFC 177 and why he accepted the replacement fight with Joe Soto during a media scrum after the weigh-ins (via MMAFighting.com).

Penick's Analysis: It's unfortunate that some fighters feel obligated to be the "company man" in situations like this. Yes, Dillashaw's willing to take on all comers, but even though he's now a massive favorite, and will more than likely beat Soto handily tomorrow, there's so much more risk than reward for the Champion in this situation. And all one has to do is look back to the Rick Story-Charlie Brenneman situation in 2011. Story probably doesn't lose to Brenneman under any other circumstance than a 24 hour notice opponent switch, because he hadn't been preparing to fight that style of fighter. Soto's no pushover, and though he's not likely to win, it's dangerous when Dillashaw hadn't been preparing for him, and actually worked with him recently.