Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw set to retire

TJ Dillashaw, one of many prime bantamweight fighters within the historical past of MMA, has retired from the UFC, Dillashaw’s agent Tiki Ghosn confirmed to ESPN on Monday.

Dillashaw, a former two-time UFC bantamweight champion, went into his title problem towards bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280 in October with a foul left shoulder harm. Sterling received the bout by way of second-round TKO after Dillashaw’s shoulder got here out of its socket a number of occasions over the course of the bout.

Dillashaw, 36, had shoulder surgical procedure Nov. 10 that may hold him out of motion for a while and because of the severity of the harm extra surgical procedure could also be required, per Ghosn. Dillashaw will take this time to let his shoulder heal and give attention to his household, the agent mentioned. He’s now out of the UFC’s drug-testing pool run by USADA and out of the UFC’s official rankings.

Dillashaw (17-5) held the UFC bantamweight title from 2014 to 2016 and once more in 2017 and 2018. The California native was relinquished of the belt in 2018 when he examined constructive for the banned substance EPO and suspended two years by UFC anti-doping associate USADA.

Dillashaw returned from suspension to beat Cory Sandhagen by way of break up determination in July 2021, incomes the title shot towards Sterling. Dillashaw wanted knee surgical procedure after that victory, which saved him 15 months.

Later Monday, the UFC confirmed Dillashaw’s crew knowledgeable the promotion that he’s now retired. Information of Dillashaw’s determination was first reported by MMA content material creator Michael Wonsover.