UFC Flyweight Fighter Joseph Benavidez Surprised USADA Needed That Much Time To Bust TJ Dillashaw For Illegal Substances
After an adverse USADA finding, the former 135-pound champ TJ Dillashaw surrendered his title.
The former Bantamweight king Dillashaw was slapped with a 2-year suspension by USADA because his samples were tested positive for EPO.
Many people bashed and criticized him on Twitter. Cody Garbrandt was especially frustrated (Dillashaw earned two TKO wins against Garbrandt at UFC 217 and UFC 227).
Joseph Benavidez, the former TJ’s teammate, also shared his side of the story. For Benavidez, the penalty didn’t come as a surprise. Yet, he is shocked USADA needed so much time to bust the former 135-pound titleholder. (h/t MMAMania.com)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQmM-McTdkI
“I wasn’t surprised at all that he finally got caught,” said Benavidez in an interview with MMA Junkie. “Wasn’t surprising at all. There’s nothing I can really say as far as, like, that hasn’t already been said. I’m not gonna sit here and say the guy is this and that because if you look at the internet and everyone, it’s already been said. So there’s nothing worse you can say than what everyone already thinks, which I think is warranted. Everything that people are out there giving him, it’s 100 percent warranted for what he did.”
“It just goes to show, there’s consequences for what you do and you can’t hide who you are forever,” Benavidez said. “I’m surprised it took that long for him to get caught, and hid what he’s about this long,” he said.
But there were Octagon warriors who weren’t rude towards TJ. Dominick Cruz says TJ’s penalty is not a big deal and hopes “Viper” would get back even better. The former UFC Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson believes Dillashaw’s USADA issues is nothing but “a blemish” in his career.
Joseph Benavidez doesn’t justify TJ’s actions, but he looks at the bright side too, claiming the penalty isn’t all that bad. At least Dillashaw can undergo surgeries and heal injuries.
“But you can’t hide that stuff forever. It’s great that it came out. There are consequences and if anything, I don’t think the consequences are that much. It’s not that bad. Get some surgeries. You got paid the day after the fight anyway. So it’s not like you’re getting suspended for the year. But like I said, it’s all the other things. All the disgrace and everything that is warranted, and maybe hurts more.”
TJ Dillashaw won’t be able to step inside the Octagon until January 2021. What are your thoughts on Benavidez’s statements?
