T.J. Dillashaw
T.J. Dillashaw will get a chance to be the UFC's sixth two-division champion and just the third simultaneous two-weight champion. In this picture, Dillashaw celebrates his UFC Bantamweight Title Bout win over Cody Garbrandt during UFC 227 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Aug. 4, 2018. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw claims the promotion is paying him to move down and "kill" the flyweight division.

Dillashaw has long-maintained his plans of moving down and becoming a simultaneous two-weight champion in the UFC similar to Conor McGregor and Daniel Cormier.

And recent reports claim he will get that opportunity at UFC 233 which takes place Jan. 26 in Anaheim, California, where he is slated to move down and face Henry Cejudo for the flyweight title.

There has been a lot of debate over the future of the flyweight division in recent times though.

With former longtime kingpin Demetrious Johnson getting traded to ONE Championship as well as a number of flyweights being released recently, many are speculating that UFC president Dana White is considering cutting the entire division, which is known for its lackluster fights.

And according to Dillashaw, his impending fight with Cejudo is related to those plans.

“The UFC wants to get rid of the division and they hired me to go down and close it and get another belt in the process,” Dillashaw said on Monday’s episode of the Ariel Helwani MMA Show on ESPN, according to Bloody Elbow. “It’s a win-win for me."

“They’re paying me a f--k load of money to move down and kill the 125-pound division and collect a second belt. So, it’s game time," he added.

White unofficially confirmed the fight over the weekend but refused to expand on whether it would be the last flyweight title fight.

“Listen, we’re working on some things right now with that division,” White said, as quoted on MMA Weekly. “Dillashaw wants to win two belts like there’s five or six guys who have done it. He wants to do it. Cejudo is absolutely fine fighting at that weight instead of going to 135 [pounds] so we made it.”

Regardless, Dillashaw is happy that he will get the opportunity to move down as opposed to Cejudo moving up as it leaves no room for any excuses.

“It’s gonna be better this way, anyway, because there’s no excuse,” Dillashaw added. “No excuses that I’m the bigger man, that I’m bigger when I’m fighting him. Because I’m gonna come down and make the weight."

“I believe we’re on the same weight, anyways, I’m a small 135’er. I’ve got no problem making 125. It’s gonna be a little more work, I’m gonna be a little more dedicated and be in better shape. I’m excited for the opportunity. Like I said, it’s a win-win for me. I’ll continue to grow my legacy, get another belt, and be the last flyweight champion ever,” he said.

Dillashaw's title fight with Cejudo is likely to be the main event of a card that could also feature Ben Askren's first official UFC fight. Askren was involved in the Johnson trade and is reported to be facing Robbie Lawler in his UFC debut.

Former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz is set to make his return to action after over two years as well as he is reported to be taking on John Lineker on the card. A women's flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood and Ariane Lipski is also expected to be added.

Confirmed fights for the event are lightweight bouts between James Vick and Paul Felder and Francisco Trinaldo and Alex Hernandez, the latter of whom is replacing Islam Makhachev on short notice.

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