Report: T.J. Dillashaw Officially Notifies UFC About Retirement After Another Shoulder Surgery

The former champ is calling it quits.

Tj Dillashaw Retires
Tj Dillashaw Retires - Image via @tjdillashaw Instagram
  • T.J. Dillashaw’s manager confirmed the former champ has notified UFC about his retirement
  • The 36-year-old has been dealing with a prolonged shoulder injury in recent years

T.J. Dillashaw has been vocal about dealing with a bad shoulder, having undergone several surgeries while serving his two-year suspension due to recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). The former UFC bantamweight champion even said he took his last fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280 despite still hurting from a dislocated shoulder.

The injury appears to have contributed to his defeat to Sterling and now, Dillashaw’s manager, Tiki Ghosn stated his client has already notified the UFC about his retirement, per MMA Fighting, citing Michael Wonsover as the first to break the news.

T.J. has made up his mind

Following his latest loss to Sterling, Dillashaw said he’ll have another shoulder surgery and might be out for roughly one full year. However, the report stated that after the latest surgery, “another surgery” is “possible in the future.” The lengthy inactivity has reportedly prompted the former 135-pound king to call it quits.

Still one of the best

Though it appears that Dillashaw is officially leaving the sport, injuries and PEDs won’t change the fact that he’s still one of the greatest bantamweight fighters of all time.

Dillashaw tallied a pro MMA record of 17-5. He first won the bantamweight strap in 2014 after scoring an upset TKO win over Brazilian legend Renan Barão. He lost the belt to Dominick Cruz in 2016, but was able to win it back the following year after beating Cody Garbrandt in two consecutive title fights.

After being dethroned by Henry Cejudo in 2019, Dillashaw was slapped with a two-year suspension and never won the title again since his return last year. He went 1-1 in his last two trips to the Octagon, earning a title shot following a split decision win over Cory Sandhagen. Unfortunately, Dillashaw fell short-handed against Sterling at UFC 280.

It’s a bit sad that injuries halted Dillashaw but he will still go down in history as one of the best to ever to stepped inside the octagon.

Published on December 6, 2022 at 9:42 am
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