TJ Dillashaw Issues Statement On Two Year Suspension
By now we all have heard that TJ Dillashaw recently received two years of suspension from USADA after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) in the wake of his loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC Brooklyn.
Many pro-fighters weigh-ins on the situation as well Dillashaw’s formal rival Cody Garbrandt went berserk on him for PED usage.
TJ’s teammates and coaches also issued a statement, but the only person we haven’t heard from was Dillahsaw itself. However, on Friday former UFC bantamweight champion took to social media and said he messed things up.
“I messed up. I have been having a hard time trying to forgive myself for this. Which I should have a hard time. I understand the criticism and scrutiny coming my way. But what I really feel bad about is the bad light bringing on to my coaches, my family and my teammates. They had no involvement in this and I feel the worst for them. I have a 15-month old son and I want to be a role model for him. As well as a lot of other kids out there too, it’s tough. But I got to man up for what I did. I accepted all penalties and I didn’t try to fight this. I am going to sit for the next two years. 2021 is when I am allowed to come back. The road to comeback is, I had shoulder surgery yesterday on my right shoulder. Two months later I am getting my left one done. I had a torn rotator cuff, labrum, for the last two and a half years and I’ve been dealing with it. It will be nice to get those healed up and come back. I have had people telling me I should just disappear and let this thing die out for the next two years. But I don’t think that’s the way to handle it. I’m coming out, showing my son that when you make a mistake face it to its face and don’t run form it. Trust me, I’d love to run away and go hide in a cave for the next two years and continue to grow out this shitty beard. It has been weighing on me, and like I said, it should. This is who I am, a fighter and I will fight my way through this one. I want to apologize to my fans and anyone I have let down. Obviously to my family and my coaches ad teammates. I can’t say sorry enough for stuff you are dealing with because of me. This won’t be the end of me and I will be back. I am making you a promise now that I will be back better and stronger and prove that all hard work that I put in is what brought me where I am at and not the bad decisions I made. All I can do to redeem myself is work hard and be better. I want to be better and I will.”
Dillashaw also suspended for one year by New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).
As for Dillashaw, his legacy of becoming a GOAT will take a back seat now after EPO finding. It’ll be a while before he gets his image back. TJ needs to prove his worth again and to get back to the elite level he needs to get his ass on the winning column.
