Aljamain Sterling’s coach Ray Longo believes that T.J. Dillashaw‘s history is important heading into UFC 280.
‘Funk Master’ is set to return this weekend for the first time since his rematch with Petr Yan in April. In that bantamweight title matchup, Sterling used his wrestling and grappling to earn a split-decision win. The victory was his first title defense since claiming the championship by disqualification the year prior.
Now, the champion is set to return this Saturday at UFC 280. Standing opposite Sterling is former bantamweight champion, T.J. Dillashaw. The Colorado native returned to action last July, defeating Cory Sandhagen by a split decision to earn the title shot.
That win was an important one for the former champion, as it was his first in over two years. Following a knockout loss to Henry Cejudo in 2019, Dillashaw tested positive for EPO. As a result, he was suspended for two years and lost his bantamweight strap.
Heading into UFC 280, Aljamain Sterling has insisted the former champion is likely cheating. That’s a narrative that right or wrong, Ray Longo believes is relevant. The longtime coach discussed T.J. Dillashaw’s drug history in an interview with Shakiel Mahjouri.
There, the coach argued that due to the former champion’s history, they have to discuss it, rather than sweep it under the rug.
“I think it’s a really worthy narrative because this guy is a cheater,” stated Longo. “He’s a convicted cheater. So what, do we just brush it under the rug like it never happened?… With this type of stuff, if you’re addicted right, because that’s an addiction, like why would you cheat? I have no idea, I’ve never done it so I don’t know. But, you have something going on that’s negative to make you do that.”
He continued, “That’s pretty rotten in this sport. Like, you’re purposefully cheating, so if you don’t think there’s a possibility that he got caught and he understands why he got caught and didn’t fix that, that would be a naive way of looking at it.”
While Ray Longo and his pupil may have their opinions on the matter, it hasn’t sat well with T.J. Dillashaw. The 36-year-old has repeatedly hit back at the idea that he’s on illegal substances heading into Saturday.
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“I think it’s a really worthy narrative because this guy is a cheater,” stated Longo. “He’s a convicted cheater. So what, do we just brush it under the rug like it never happened?… With this type of stuff, if you’re addicted right, because that’s an addiction, like why would you cheat? I have no idea, I’ve never done it so I don’t know. But, you have something going on that’s negative to make you do that.”
He continued, “That’s pretty rotten in this sport. Like, you’re purposefully cheating, so if you don’t think there’s a possibility that he got caught and he understands why he got caught and didn’t fix that, that would be a naive way of looking at it.”
While Ray Longo and his pupil may have their opinions on the matter, it hasn’t sat well with T.J. Dillashaw. The 36-year-old has repeatedly hit back at the idea that he’s on illegal substances heading into Saturday.
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He’s correct. Pillashaw is a cheat, Aljo is just an annoying faggot who fakes an injury. Either way, that fight will be bitter-sweet. I’m rooting for a double-KO.
lol
Oops, I meant needleshaw.
So now Aljo and Longo have both come out ahead with cheating excuses.
Now if he loses they’ll just try to claim TJ was on something again and cheating.
I kid, but he was probably a beast in his day.
Cholesterol
You dont sweep it under the rug. TJ was suspended for two years. He suffered the consequences. Stop whining.
UFC president Dana White believes it’s possible that former bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw eventually shakes his reputation of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Ahead of UFC 280, which takes place Saturday in Abu Dhabi and features Dillashaw (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) challenging champion Aljamain Sterling (21-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) for the title, White explained how Dillashaw handled his positive drug test and subsequent punishment exceptionally well compared to the status quo.
“First of all, the guy is probably, and I don’t know this for a fact, but I would assume he’s one of the most tested guys in the company right now,” White recently told Barstool Sports. “USADA is probably all over him. But I think he made a mistake, and he handled it like a man. I’ll tell you what: We’ve had a lot of guys in the history of this company
Dillashaw, now 36, tested positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (better known as EPO) following a failed flyweight title challenge against Henry Cejudo in 2019. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspended Dillashaw two years for the positive test.
In the wake of the failure, Dillashaw openly admitted to his use of banned substances and pointed to his struggle to shed 10 pounds and drop to flyweight as the reason for his poor decision.
“It’s hard to hold grudges, because I did it,” Dillashaw told MMA Junkie mid-suspension in 2020. “I made the mistake. I dirtied my name myself. It’s not on anybody else. I gave them fuel. It hurts, but that’s part of the payment – part of the payment for how I dirtied my name up. I’ve got to live with it now. Trying to hold onto those grudges, that’s like holding onto the past. I’ve already moved on. I’m ready to push for that next goal and getting my belt back.”
On Saturday, Dillashaw will have the chance to do that. Since his suspension and multiple shoulder surgeries, Dillashaw is 1-0 with a victory over Cory Sandhagen. If he wins, he’ll be the first fighter in UFC history to have three bantamweight title reigns.who have been busted for steroids and handled it the exact opposite way. They handled it not like men. Dillashaw did. He took it on the chin. You’ve got to respect him for that.”
Don’t worry, he’s clean now.
It’s interesting how TJ was able to go from a Woman’s B Cup back to a more normal looking Man’s chest. I really wonder did he just stop or if he used some other Meds or a Surgery to fix that Gyno
If Ray Longo could punch a fucking hole through one UFC fighter’s chest, live on PPV, who would you pick?
I’d pick TJ Dillashit, 100%, I want to watch Longo punch a fucking hole through Dillashit’s chest live on PPV. I’d pay $79.99 to see that for sure.