TJ DILLASHAW: “This is why I cheated”

Earlier this year it was reported that TJ Dillashaw tested positive for EPO. This resulted in then bantamweight champion relinquishing his title UFC title, and had to endure massive criticism for his actions.

Dillashaw chooses to explain now why he decided to cheat. In an interview with Chael Sonnen, TJ acknowledges that he chose to take banned substances to reach the fight weight of 125 lbs (flyweight) for his title fight against UFC’s flyweight Champion Henry Cejudo.

“To begin with, I cheated. I don’t want to create any excuses, and that is why I admitted directly. I wanted go down one weight class to 125 lb and fight Cejudo, and I overestimated how difficult it would be. So I pushed my body extremely, until I started crashing”, says Dillashaw.

From left: TJ Dillashaw and Duane Ludwig after the fight against Henry Cejudo.

“I don’t regret it” says Dillashaw – acknowledges that he does not regret the decision to take banned substances. This is because he does not think that a match for the flyweight championship belt would have been possible otherwise.

Read also: New detail – about TJ Dillashaw’s doping failure

“I choose to take something I knew that was forbidden. I do not regret what I did, because I do not think I could have fight Cejudo otherwise. Then I got caught, and it was really painful. Then it is hard not to hate yourself a little bit”, concludes the former champion.

Dillashaw is currently serving a suspension by USADA, and can compete again in January 19, 2020.