Major setback for Dillashaw – loses another year of his prime

Bantamweight TJ Dillashaw will be away from competition for a year after hurting his shoulder. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

Former two-time champion T.J Dillashaw missed two years of his prime after the USADA suspension. Now, after the shoulder injury at UFC 280, he will be away from competition for another year.

In a recent interview with ESPN, the bantamweight opened up on his second surgery since his return to the octagon last year.

“Nine months until I can start training rough and tough, and then making sure everything is healed up. I’ve had shoulder surgery before and I’d say another year maybe to compete. Either a year to compete, or a year to get back to a training camp,” Dillashaw said.

The 36-year-old has only fought only three times since 2019.

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TJ Dillashaw KO’d Cody Garbrandt with the same injury

After the fight at UFC 280, the bantamweight has been criticized for going into the fight knowing that he was injured. Now, the former champion fires back and explains his decision to enter the octagon at UFC 280.

“I’ve fought like this before. I knocked out Cody Garbrandt twice with two blown out shoulders,” Dillashaw said. “My shoulders were both dislocating for that Garbrandt fight.”

“It hurt and it affected my grappling, but what was I gonna do? Not take the fight? I wanted to get my title back. Kind of same situation I’m in now.”

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