Music to UFC's ears.
T.J. Dillashaw has only been bantamweight champion for a little under two months, but he's already made it clear that he'll be a "company man" for Ultimate fighting Championship (UFC).
Prior to the announcement on "UFC Tonight" that the mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion was targeting an instant rematch between himself and Renan Barao -- the man he dethroned at UFC 173 this past May -- "The Viper" spoke to FOX Sports regarding his next title defense.
When asked about a possible rematch against a man he just dominated (video), the Team Alpha Male-trained fighter said he has no qualms with it, insisting he doesn't want to be a "diva champion" who picks and chooses his opponents.
He explains:
"I don't want to pick and choose. I don't want to be one of those diva champions. If he's the biggest draw, then let's bring it. Obviously, I have the game plan to beat him and I have the skills to beat him. "
Most believed that Rafael Assuncao -- the current No. 3 ranked bantamweight in the world -- would get first dibs on a title fight. Though that won't be the case, Dillashaw still has his eyes set on that rematch after losing a razor-thin split decision to Rafael at UFC Fight Night 29 last October.
A fight the champion feels he won.
"I won that fight and I would love to get it back obviously. I do want to fight Assuncao. If not next, he'll come. I want to fight whoever they throw at me. I want to be the guy they can count on."
But first, Dillashaw has to go out and put on a repeat performance against Barao. A title fight that is tentatively scheduled to headline UFC 177 on Aug. 30, 2014 in Sacramento, Calif., home of Team Alpha Male.
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