Former two-time UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has decided to retire from the sport of MMA.
First reported by Michael Wonsover.
Dillashaw (17-5) has informed the UFC of his retirement. The decision comes after his loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280 in October. During the bout one of Dillashaw’s shoulders popped out of place repeatedly and the bout ended in the second round via TKO.
Following the fight Dillashaw revealed that he had injured the shoulder during camp, but decided not to withdraw from the fight. Following the event Dillashaw underwent extensive shoulder surgery.
Shoulder issues are nothing new to Dillashaw who underwent procedures to both shoulders during his two-year suspension that he served under the UFC’s anti-doping program. This most recent surgery would have kept him out for at least a year, but would likely require a follow up surgery later on.
The concept of being out for over a year once again proved to be too much for Dillashaw who decided to call it a career at 36-years-old.
Dillashaw held court over the UFC bantamweight division twice first winning the belt by defeated Renan Barao at UFC 173 in 2014. After losing the title to former champion Dominick Cruz in 2016 he went ahead to defeat Raphael Assuncao and John Lineker to earn a shot at then champion Cody Garbrandt.
Dillashaw defeated Garbrandt at UFC 217 and held the title until he was forced to vacate it due to testing positive for EPO. Dillashaw also challenged Henry Cejudo for the flyweight title only to fall via TKO in just 32 seconds.
