TJ Dillashaw will be returning to the octagon to take on Aljamain Sterling at the UFC 280. The 36-year-old will look to get his hands on the UFC bantamweight title yet again this weekend. However, the last few years have been really tough for the former champion.
TJ Dillashaw was suspended for two years by USADA for doping back in 2019. After serving his two-year suspension, he returned to the octagon to take on Cory Sandhagen in July 2021.
Now, ahead of his highly anticipated title shot against Aljamain Sterling, Dillashaw has opened up on his two-year suspension and revealed that he had to undergo a double shoulder surgery during his suspension as well.
While speaking about how the suspension was the darkest time in his life, TJ Dillashaw said:
“Having a two-year suspension was definitely the darkest time of my life. But I turned every negative into the best positive I possibly can no matter what it is. The first six months of being suspended, went through double shoulder surgery.”
TJ Dillashaw’s UFC return after suspension
As mentioned earlier, TJ Dillashaw returned to the octagon after serving his suspension last year against Cory Sandhagen. The 36-year-old announced his return with an impressive victory. However, the former UFC champion was struck with bad luck again as he suffered injuries to his left leg in his returning bout.
Dillashaw was forced out of action yet again and underwent surgery to repair the torn PCL and meniscus. However, the 36-year-old is now fully recovered and finds himself at a position where he can potentially become a UFC champion yet again.
TJ is looking STRONG ahead of #UFC280 👀
(via @TJDillashaw) pic.twitter.com/Q06aGAYQTa
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 12, 2022
TJ Dillashaw will be taking on Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight championship at UFC 280. The fight will give the 36-year-old a chance to truly put his past behind him. With a win over Sterling, he can etch his name as the best bantamweight on the planet.
However, regardless of what happens in the fight, TJ Dillashaw has shown why it is important to never give up no matter what the circumstances are. That said, it will be interesting to see if he can get his hands on the title yet again this weekend.