T.J. Dillashaw says he would reconsider UFC 222 decision if given better offer

Will T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt 2 likely happen at UFC 222? No. But according to Dillashaw, it’s not out of question entirely.

The 135-pound titleholder said Monday that he would reconsider accepting the rematch if the promotion offered him a larger sum of money than his usual championship fight purse — and perhaps other benefits to go along with the cash, too.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Dillashaw told The Luke Thomas Show on SiriusXM. “If they were to come to me with some ideas of actually making this worth my while, then yeah, there’s always that chance. ... If they come to me and they offer all this money, it’s something I would think about.”

After Max Holloway vs. Frankie Edgar was scrapped as the UFC 222 main event last weekend, the UFC wanted to schedule a bantamweight title bout between Dillashaw and Garbrandt — a rematch of their UFC 217 meeting last November, which Dillashaw won by second-round TKO to claim the title.

Dillashaw declined the matchup for a number of reasons, leaving UFC 222 — which takes place March 3 in Las Vegas — without a headliner. First, his wife had their first child five weeks ago; he isn’t in fight shape because of that. Secondly, he doesn’t think “No Love” deserves an immediate rematch. Dillashaw reiterated that sentiment again Monday.

“Prove yourself,” he said. “Just because you’re a loud mouth and can run your mouth does not mean you can get a title shot. The squeaky wheels shouldn’t always get greased.”

Dillashaw also revealed that he has been dealing with multiple injuries, too.

“I’m on this seven-week physical therapy plan right now with some injuries I got going on right now,” he said. “I’m not healthy, but I’ve been keeping quiet. I’m doing some rehab, which I got checked out by their doctors.

“There’s multiple reasons why this wasn’t the right time. I’m not making excuses or anything, it just didn’t work out.”

For now, Dillashaw is hoping to challenge Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title at UFC 226 in July.