Cody Garbrandt implies rescheduled TJ Dillashaw scrap will go down at UFC 217

Originally, UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt was expected to defend his title against former champion TJ Dillashaw at UFC 213. Unfortunately, Garbrandt was forced out of this anticipated bantamweight title fight with a severe back injury, and the fight was scrapped as a result.

Though there was some brief discussion surrounding Dillashaw possibly dropping to flyweight for a fight with divisional champ Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, it is more recently looking like he’ll battle Garbrandt as planned. While it has long been rumored, Garbrandt recently made a clear implication that this fight with Dillashaw will go down at UFC 217 this November 4 in the New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Garbrandt dropped the bomb on Twitter:

UFC 217 Madison Square Garden vs @TJDillashaw pic.twitter.com/i5PbTqTB93

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) August 9, 2017

This of course, is in keeping with a recent report from our own Chris Taylor.

I’m hearing Khabib vs Ferg, Frankie vs Holloway and Cody vs TJ. This in addition to GSP vs Bisping. https://t.co/BNJVYz5GSi

— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) August 4, 2017

Closing in… #UFC217 https://t.co/ZUdP2Ox98u

— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) August 9, 2017

Garbrandt will enter this fight having last fought in December, when he scored a surprising but dominant upset win over once-dominant champion Dominick Cruz. The new champ is undefeated in MMA, and has bested Marcus Brimage, Henry Briones, Augusto Mendes, Thomas Almeida, Takeya Mizugaki and Cruz since joining the UFC. He’s 11-0 overall.

Dillashaw, meanwhile, lost the title to Cruz back in January of 2016. Since then, he has rebounded with lopsided wallopings of Raphael Assuncao and John Lineker. He’s 14-3 in sum.

UFC 217 is expected to be headlined by a middleweight title fight between reigning champ Michael Bisping and former UFC welterweight king Georges St-Pierre.

Who do you think wins this bantamweight title fight between Cody Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 8/9/2017.