UFC president Dana White suspended T.J. Dillashaw, then bantamweight champion, stripping him of his title, following Dillashaw’s positive test for PED use. Following a two-year suspension, Dillashaw is set to compete for the title once more, this time against the current bantamweight champ, Aljamain Sterling. White told Barstool Sports that Dillashaw is one of the “most tested guys in the company”, praising the former champion for owning up to his EPO use.
“First of all, the guy is probably, and I don’t know this for a fact, but I would assume he’s one of the most tested guys in the company right now.
Dana White Praises Dillashaw For Owning Up to PED Use: “He Handled it Like a Man”
USADA is probably all over him. But I think he made a mistake, and he handled it like a man. I’ll tell you what: We’ve had a lot of guys in the history of this company who have been busted for steroids and handled it the exact opposite way. They handled it not like men. Dillashaw did. He took it on the chin. You’ve got to respect him for that.”
Dillashaw tested positive for recombinant human erythropoietin, best known as EPO, after he attempted to move down to the flyweight division. His difficulty cutting weight to reach the 115-pound flyweight limit, according to Dillashaw, is what led him to use the substance. Dillashaw owned up to what he called a “mistake” in an interview with MMAJunkie back in the midst of his two-year suspension.
““It’s hard to hold grudges, because I did it. I made the mistake. I dirtied my name myself. It’s not on anybody else. I gave them fuel. It hurts, but that’s part of the payment – part of the payment for how I dirtied my name up. I’ve got to live with it now.
Trying to hold onto those grudges, that’s like holding onto the past. I’ve already moved on. I’m ready to push for that next goal and getting my belt back.”
Dillashaw’s PED use has been the focus of most of his UFC 280 opponent’s trash talk. Aljamain Sterling has repeatedly referred to Dillashaw as a “cheater” in press engagements and interviews, outright stating that he believes Dillashaw is still doping. If Dana White is to be believed, Dillashaw is being consistently tested for PEDs, more so than other fighters on the roster.
Clean or not, Dillashaw has promised to recapture the title that was stripped from him so long ago this weekend. Do you believe he’ll be successful? Let us know in the comments.
