T.J. Dillashaw announced this morning that he will be giving up his UFC Bantamweight championship belt after the New York State Athletic Commission and the United States Anti-Doping Agency discovered an "adverse finding in a test taken for my last fight." According to ESPN, the failed drug test came after his January 19th fight against Henry Cejudo in the Flyweight division. Dillashaw ended up losing that fight in just 32 seconds. The fighter ended up posting a message on Instagram which explains his decision to relinquish the belt.
“While words can’t even begin to express how disappointed I am at this time, please know that I’m working with my team to understand what has occurred and how to resolve this situation as quickly as possible,” Dillashaw wrote.
The NYSAC has suspended Dillashaw for a year, which is retroactive from January 19th. As ESPN reported, it is unclear whether or not the USADA will be suspending him as well.
Dillashaw first won the Bantamweight title in 2014, eventually losing it in 2016. Dillashaw mounted a comeback in 2017, reclaiming the belt from Cody Garbradnt, who he successfully defended his title from in August of 2018 in a rematch.
The UFC has yet to comment on the suspension.
