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Cruz: 'I Know I Deserve The Next Title Shot Against Dillashaw Because I Already Beat Him'

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has sat back as quietly as possible as T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt sorted out their differences in the form of two knockout victories for Dillashaw at UFC 217 and this past weekend’s UFC 227.

A familiar foe for the current bantamweight champion, Cruz (22-2) actually holds a close decision victory over Dillashaw during the apex of Cruz’s title reign in 2016. For that reason, amongst others, the former champion is ready to reclaim his title against Dillashaw.

“I know I deserve that title shot,” Cruz told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, “because I defended that title more times than anyone in the history of the division.