5 reasons why the UFC should book Jose Aldo vs. T.J. Dillashaw
Jose Aldo and T.J. Dillashaw are among the greatest fighters in the UFC.
Aldo is widely regarded as the greatest featherweight in MMA history. However, following multiple setbacks against the division's current generation, he underwent a career renaissance by dropping to bantamweight in pursuit of becoming one of the few UFC fighters to have ever won titles across multiple divisions.
Dillashaw, by contrast, has been a career bantamweight with the exception of one unsuccessful venture to flyweight. After a forced hiatus from the sport owing to a USADA suspension, Dillashaw returned with a much-needed win against top contender Cory Sandhagen to make his case for a shot at the title he never lost in the octagon.
With both Aldo and Dillashaw vying for UFC bantamweight gold, a potential matchup between the two is a bout the UFC should consider for the reasons this list will now explore.
#5. An interesting clash of styles
Despite holding a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Aldo prefers to engage his opponents using a tight, defensively-sound kickboxing style.
Historically, Aldo implemented powerful low kicks that knocked his opponents out of their stance. While most fighters are wary of opponents checking their kicks, Aldo circumvents this by first backing up his foes with combinations, then throwing a low kick as they move backwards.
Seeking finishes... Calling out TJ Dillashaw... Jose Aldo is hungry https://t.co/rgCyhO1A9O
It is significantly harder to check low kicks on the retreat as lifting the leg for a check while stepping backward upsets one's balance and renders fighters susceptible to knockdowns.
When combined with his intelligent boxing, Aldo is comfortable at every range. When his opponents close the distance, he pivots from tight angles, using his boxing to punish them. If they stay on the outside, Aldo catches them with low kicks and jabs.
T.J. Dillashaw, by contrast, is a flashier fighter. Initially a wrestler, he mixes in level changes with shifting combinations as he glides from one stance to the next. He is rarely a stationary target, moving his head after each strike as he flows from orthodox to southpaw, throwing in combinations.
Dillashaw always looks to set up his power strikes and, in particular, uses his wrestling to set up kicks. He establishes the threat or intent of a takedown early on. Once his opponent is concerned with the takedown threat, he dips low, teasing the takedown. As his foe drops their hands low to stuff the takedown shot, Dillashaw whips his leg to their exposed head.
This clash of styles makes a potential bout between Aldo and Dillashaw a guaranteed Fight of the Night.