UFC 280: TJ Dillashaw opens up on two-year suspension in 2019

TJ Dillashaw has taken a look back on what he calls the darkest time of his life during a two-year suspension from mixed martial arts.

In the wake of his loss to Henry Cejudo back in early 2019, TJ Dillashaw was suspended for two years due to a positive drug test that indicated he had been using EPO. The former two-time bantamweight champion wound up admitting to doping, opting to relinquish his belt and accept the penalty handed down by USADA.

Understandably, this led to widespread scrutiny from the MMA community with many believing he’d never fight again.

Alas, the veteran wasn’t willing to go down without a fight, and he instead returned to action last summer with a narrow split decision victory over fellow top contender Cory Sandhagen.

Read more: UFC 280: TJ Dillashaw targets GOAT status against Aljamain Sterling

While the win was nice, it certainly didn’t erase all of the bad faith that had been building up from many within the sport after what went down.

During a recent interview, the 36-year-old explained what that time was like for him and his family.

“I took the risk and I’ve owned up to all of it. If you make that mistake, you’d better be ready to handle the consequences.

“Having a two-year suspension was definitely the darkest time of my life. But, I turn every negative into the best positive I possibly can no matter what it is. 

“Those first six months of being suspended, I went through double shoulder surgery, I got to make my businesses flourish, as well as being a coach for some of my teammates, I got to spend a lot more time with my son and my wife.”

After undergoing knee surgery due to an injury sustained in the aforementioned war with Sandhagen, Dillashaw began a road to recovery that will end this