Dana White Applauds T.J. Dillashaw For Admitting Past PED Use

T.J. Dillashaw recently discussed his upcoming fight with Aljamain Sterling. He did it ahead of UFC 280 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, where Dillashaw (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) will challenge champion Aljamain (21-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) for the title. T.J. was recently praised by Dana White for being open about his PED use.

UFC president Dana White believes former bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw can overcome his reputation for taking performance-enhancing drugs. White explained how Dillashaw handled his positive drug test and subsequent punishment exceptionally well compared to the status quo.

“First of all, the guy is probably, and I don’t know this for a fact, but I would assume he’s one of the most tested guys in the company right now,” White recently told Barstool Sports.

USADA is probably all over him. But I think he made a mistake, and he handled it like a man. I’ll tell you what: We’ve had a lot of guys in the history of this company who have been busted for steroids and handled it the exact opposite way. They handled it not like men. Dillashaw did. He took it on the chin. You’ve got to respect him for that.

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T.J. Dillashaw, aged 36, tested positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (better known as EPO) after a failed flyweight title challenge against Henry Cejudo in 2019. For the positive test, the U. S. Anti-Doping Agency suspended Dillashaw for two years. Following the setback, Dillashaw freely acknowledged to using banned substances and blamed his poor judgment on his inability to lose 10 pounds and drop to flyweight. “It’s hard to hold grudges, because I did it,” Dillashaw told MMA Junkie mid-suspension in 2020.

I made the mistake. I dirtied my name myself. It’s not on anybody else. I gave them fuel. It hurts, but that’s part of the payment – part of the payment for how I dirtied my name up. I’ve got to live with it now. Trying to hold onto those grudges, that’s like holding onto the past. I’ve already moved on. I’m ready to push for that next goal and getting my belt back.

Dillashaw will get the opportunity to prove himself again on Saturday. Dillashaw is 1-0 since his suspension and many shoulder surgeries, with a win over Cory Sandhagen. If he wins, he will become the first fighter in UFC history to hold three bantamweight title reigns. Let’s see what happens. To get the latest updates, keep an eye on Thirsty.

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