Former two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion, TJ Dillashaw, has been banned from Mixed Martial Arts for two years.
The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced their choice to ban Dillashaw on Tuesday. Dillashaw tested positive for Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rHuEPO).
Dillashaw’s ban will start from the day the Agency believes he first fought while using the drug. The ban is in effect from January 19, 2019. He will be able to return to the Octagon on the same day in 2021.
TJ Dillashaw, already under a year’s ban from the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), also failed another drug test after his loss to Henry Cejudo. Afterwards, he announced on social media last month that he would give up his UFC Bantamweight title.
Interestingly, Cody Garbrandt, former UFC Bantamweight Champion, spoke about Dillashaw using the banned drug a year ago.
Travis T. Tygart, Chief Executive Officer of USADA said,
“We all know the pressures to win at all levels of all sport are real and intense.
“It is exactly why strong anti-doping efforts are necessary to protect clean athletes’ rights, health and safety and to ensure that those who do succumb to these pressures and decide to break the rules will be held accountable in a real and meaningful way, as in this case.”
For more from the realm of combat athletics, keep a tab on RDX Sports.
