Former UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw is still serving his two-year suspension after he failed his pre and post-fight drug tests for erythropoietin (EPO).
The drug test failure was disappointing news since the 34-year-old was on a tear within the bantamweight division, defeating Raphael Assunção, John Lineker, and Cody Garbrandt twice before dropping his flyweight bout to Henry Cejudo at UFC Fight Night Brooklyn.
Still, Dillashaw was forced to vacate the Bantamweight title and according to the former champ himself, he was promised a title shot once he’s finished serving his suspension:
“I was told I would get that title fight when I came back, but that doesn’t mean anything,” Dillashaw told MMA Junkie. “I made a mistake – I don’t own rights to anything. But if it was my choice, it would be title fight, if not top-five to prove I should get that title fight. I think that makes sense. I’m hoping they just throw me to the dogs. If I can’t get that title fight, I want someone in the top five so that I can get my title fight. I’m not here to play around. I want my belt back. It’s still mine. I’ll be ready.”
It should be interesting to see if Henry Cejudo can keep his belt until Dillashaw’s return in January 2021. The two were set to meet for the bantamweight title at UFC 233 before Dillashaw was notified of his drug test failure. Cejudo is scheduled to fight Jose Aldo for the belt at UFC 250.
Check out the full interview where Dillashaw talks about his mental state following his suspension, what his plans will be when he returns to the UFC, and so much more!