In a time when deposed champions like Ronda Rousey, Chris Weidman and Cain Velasquez are offered immediate rematches following stoppage losses, former UFC bantamweight champ T.J. Dillashaw is forced to campaign to face Dominick Cruz a second time.

Cruz won a thin split decision victory over five rounds Jan. 17 in Boston, Massachusetts to reclaim his title. On the sideline for nearly the past four years, Cruz made it clear he wants to cash in on a rubber match with longtime rival Urijah Faber.

"When you're the champion you don't have to talk s**t to push your way up to get that fight," Dillashaw told Submission Radio. "There's going to be plenty of guys talking their mouth off and making some drama to make it entertaining for them to get that title shot. Unfortunately, that's the way the UFC is going to work. It's all about money and promotion and entertaining. When you're the champion, you don't have to do that. Numbers are everything when it comes to this promotion. It's not about who actually deserves the rematch. It's all about the storyline and the drama behind it."

Dillashaw and Faber have sniped at one another for months following the former's exit from Sacramento's Team Alpha Male. Now with Faber standing in the way of a shot at Cruz, Dillashaw isn't pulling punches making his case to be next.

"No, he doesn't deserve it," Dillashaw said of Faber. "He's got a name behind him but his last performances? There's no way he should deserve a title fight. Just because he and Cruz have beef? It doesn't make sense. I'm the No. 1 contender. I felt I won that fight [with Cruz.] I think I'm the only UFC champ to lose his belt to a split decision. I don't feel like Urijah's done enough to get that fight. Obviously he's going to try to talk his way into that fight but I don't think he deserves it.

"The way he's looked? The guy is a dinosaur. He hasn't been looking very good. I feel like he's going downhill."

3-1 since being TKO'd by former bantamweight champ Renan Barao in 2013, Faber's only other hiccup came against featherweight contender Frankie Edgar in a five-round unanimous decision loss.

"Prime? No way," Dillashaw said of Faber. "He's good. Don't get me wrong. The guy is awesome and I have a lot of respect for him, but I don't think he's been looking as good as he used to. He's slowing down and not dominating guys. He had a tough fight with Francisco Rivera until he poked him in the eye. He didn't look good against Alex Caceres until he choked him. He just beat the No. 13 guy in a very close fight and was gassed out in the process.

"I just don't think he's looked as dominant as he has in the past. He was a better fighter four years ago. He's 37 years old. That's old. I don't want to be fighting when I'm 37 years old."

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TWEETS

Victory lap.

Best part of my night. Walking hand in hand with my number 1 Fan and Granny https://t.co/BvwfArt0mL — Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) February 22, 2016

11th 1st. round finishes out of 15 wins . But y'all don't hear me tho — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 22, 2016

Thanks for showing me the way since day one from stepping on the blue mat!! https://t.co/J0yFzl5dzo — Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) February 22, 2016

We beat a MMA legend tonight. Thanks for the love & support guys ! #TeamMenace #OperationMENACE #MenaceLife — Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) February 22, 2016

Thank you, I'm all good. Not a scratch https://t.co/owXEgGz2jA — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) February 22, 2016

Much love to @shaolinstylemma. Was an honor to go to battle with you. #UFCPittsburgh — James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) February 22, 2016

It didn't come easy. We knew we were in 4 a war. But we got the W & it's only 4rm here. ☝ ️✨



This win belongs to... https://t.co/bMyAnTtDnC — Ashlee Evans-Smith (@AshleeMMA) February 22, 2016

2/21/16



First UFC win

TKO Finish

$50,000 bonus



Best Night Of My Life — Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) February 22, 2016

Better luck next time.

I know my self and it's not enough. I am ready to start it again. My journey isn't finish yet I... https://t.co/j7JZiTPDE7 — Roan Jucao (@jucao) February 22, 2016

Boss tell him to either stop the fight or let it go but he can't jump in front of me and back up later like he did https://t.co/LUBHovVmh9 — Augusto Tanquinho (@tanquinhojj) February 23, 2016

@TheJamesKrause likewise sir. I had a fun time in there with you. — ShaneShaolinCampbell (@shaolinstylemma) February 22, 2016

Amigos e amigas, quero aqui agradecer primeiramente a Deus que me permite ter saúde, uma família... https://t.co/AqHZa0HFI9 — Daniel Sarafian (@danielsarafian) February 22, 2016

Sorry guys. I know most of you are still proud of me but I'm just disappointed in myself. Thank you all for the support. — Jonavin Webb (@jonavinwebb) February 22, 2016

Man that was FUN! Props 2 tuff @LaurenMurphyMMA We put on a war 4 the fans! Thanks for the $50k smile @danawhite pic.twitter.com/2HakytKT5B — Kelly Faszholz (@KellyFaszholz) February 22, 2016

Tough decision loss last night... But, still loved every minute inside that cage... Can't wait to get better and do it all over again. — Anthony Hamilton (@AHamilton_MMA) February 22, 2016

Working late.

Shooting for the new EA Sports UFC game tonight.

The hard work doesn't stop. It just relocates. #UFC196 #12days pic.twitter.com/QqmtLl9Mub — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 23, 2016

Buds.

Embarcando para Manaus com o fenômeno Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. Secretário Fabricio Silva Lima, segura que estamos chegando!!! #reebokbrasil #reebok #vitafort #vitafornutrientes Posted by Jose Aldo Junior on Monday, February 22, 2016

The master of movement Ido Portal is back in town!!!It is an honour to have Ido assisting me in my preparation to fight... Posted by Conor McGregor on Monday, February 22, 2016

Beef.

Yo @UriahHallMMA how does UFC 197 sound. April 23? Here's my number call me maybe ? @AliAbdelaziz00 @danawhite — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 22, 2016

Ain't no maybe baby, I already asked @danawhite I'll answer that call, it's on like donkey kong, 197 biaaaaaatch https://t.co/qp83h9ToDH — U R I A H H A L L (@UriahHallMMA) February 23, 2016

@Rick_Story Pat White called said he wants his trick back on the corner... If you don't go back, I am to collect. — Nathan Coy (@NathanCoyMMA) February 22, 2016

@Rick_Story nice to hear you chirping... Get your lil toe healed. I am fine 1-0 against you. But you want some... Ask the @ufc. — Nathan Coy (@NathanCoyMMA) February 22, 2016

Congrats.

I am proud to say today I dropped my first collab with @Rootsoffight. To be among the ... https://t.co/cze8YGvbqf pic.twitter.com/Jnvzx59QlU — Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) February 22, 2016

Metal.

Screaming career?? Can I sing for you @WhereisADTR pic.twitter.com/w48aSkItrA — Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) February 23, 2016

Meat.

Big thx to @ubisoft for sending me this huge piece of meat & 2 copies of @farcry Primal!! This game is so good!! pic.twitter.com/mBU0YyIh81 — Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) February 23, 2016

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Feb. 22 2016)

Cyril Asker vs. Jared Cannonier at UFC Fight Night: Dos Santos vs. Rothwell

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