Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has reportedly been suspended for two years, according to a report from TMZ Sports. Dillashaw had previously announced that he was relinquishing the title after a flagged drug test by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Now, we know the name of the banned substance that was found in his system which triggered the failed drug test that was administered one day before his UFC on ESPN 1 title fight against flyweight champion Henry Cejudo.
Dillashaw ultimate lost that fight via technical knockout in just 32 seconds.
According to the TMZ report, Dillashaw tested positive for Erythropoietin — aka EPO — which is “a synthetic hormone that’s considered a cleaner alternative to blood doping.”
USADA adds that EPO “is often used by athletes to increase oxygen transport and aerobic power.”
When Dillashaw initially opened up about his flagged drug test, he expressed disappointment.
“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 said.
Because of the two-year ban, the former 135-pound champion will not be eligible to fight until Jan. 2021.