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TJ Dillashaw Has a Message for Fans as He Returns After a Long Suspension

Published 11/25/2020, 6:24 AM EST

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It seems the former UFC bantamweight champion, T.J. Dillashaw, has outrun his past and is looking ahead for a robust comeback to the UFC octagon. The USADA suspended Dillashaw for a 2-year span in 2019 following his positive test for a banned substance, EPO.

The American Mixed Martial Artist recently took to his Instagram handle, where he’s seen hanging out with his family and friends in Medellin, Colombia.

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He wrote, “Medellín was an amazing city. Came down to visit the @bioxcellerator_ family to put stem cells in my shoulders. Also got the chance to teach martial arts to some underprivileged kids. The amount of enjoyment I saw from so little really put life into perspective. My suspension is almost up and I will be coming back strong and hungry.” 

Dillashaw shared a string of photos and videos where he’s seen relishing the traditional Medellin cuisines, sightseeing, and teaching Combat Sports to underprivileged kids.

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Post his suspension in January 2019, Dillashaw went for shoulder surgeries and has recovered better than ever. The last time Dillashaw stepped into the Octagon was January 2019, where suffered a TKO loss to Henry Cejudo in just 32 sec of round 1. Subsequently, he lost his rankings due to the suspension.

Who should TJ Dillashaw face in his return fight?

Dillashaw has a pro-MMA record of 17 wins and 4 losses. The American has pinned his opponents down with devastating striking and believes his comeback will be even better than before. In an interview with MMA Junkie, Dillashaw confessed, “I was told I would get that title fight (Bantamweight) when I came back, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

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However, he revealed that he would fight someone in the top-five to prove that he deserved a crack at the belt.

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Fans would be keen to watch a trilogy between him & his former teammate, now fierce-rival, Cody Garbrandt. However, Dillashaw TKOed Garbrandt in their last 2 meetings and the UFC is highly unlikely to book a trilogy with one party leading 2-0.

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Dillashaw will have an amazing roster of Bantamweights to compete with apart from Garbrandt. Pedro Munhoz, Frankie Edgar, or Marlon Moraes are some of the best fighters in contention, and win over them could resurrect him at 135 pounds.

Who would you like to see the former compete against? How will the American fare in his new run at bantamweight? Let us know through the comments below:

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Written by:

Prathamesh Singh Chauhan

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Prathamesh Singh Chauhan is a Boxing Author at EssentiallySports. He is a graduate from the International Institute of Sports Management who combines his love for sports, particularly combat sports, and his flair for writing and analysis to help him in his day-to-day work. He has prior professional experience with sporting organizations such as Star Sports, Khelo India, and NBA.
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