Former UFC bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw has unceremoniously retired from MMA. This was a shocking news for both UFC and the fans. However, amid his struggle with serious shoulder injury, Dillashaw has decided to walk away from the sport following his loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280.
In the co-main event of UFC 280, TJ Dillashaw faced the current bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling. Dillashaw popped his shoulder in the first round and fought with an injured shoulder until the fight was stopped in the second round.
Following the fight TJ Dillashaw admitted that he was injured leading into the fight. The former champion received a ton of criticism for not informing UFC about his medical condition and putting on a lack lustre fight in one hand because of it.
TJ Dillashaw removed from UFC rankings
The former number 1 title contender was removed from rankings earlier today, which shocked many fans. Dillashaw was adamant about making a return after his ongoing surgery and rehab. He also wanted to climbed up the rankings and fight for the title after his return.
However, TJ Dillashaw had enough. Ariel Helwani confirmed about Dillashaw’s retirement after talking to his manager. Dillashaw took this shocking decision after receiving a horrific update from the doctors about his shoulder injury.
“It’s going to be a long road. There is a chance he might need a second surgery down the Line. It’s a very delicate injury. It’s one of the worst injuries to shoulder that particular surgeon has ever seen. Basically for a guy who has been through a lot for the last couple of years, not to mention multiple surgeries on his shoulder, on his knees that felt like a very daunting task.”– Ariel Helwani explained
TJ Dillashaw has decided to retire. The UFC was notified around a week and a half ago. @The_MDubb first reported the news.
Here’s more, from my car, on what happened: pic.twitter.com/goxUGdgYWw
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 6, 2022
Dillashaw Decided to Retire after his Shoulder Injury
After his return fight against Cory Sandhagen, TJ Dillashaw had to undergo knee surgery for the injury he suffered during the fight, which kept him away from the octagon for a long time. Dillashaw also had a double shoulder surgery during his 2 year USADA suspension. And now with his horrific shoulder surgery, Dillashaw’s decision to retire seems like a logical move.
However, Ariel Helwani does believe that there is a possibility of Dillashaw coming back. Helwani stated that this might be an emotional decision from Dillashaw. However, at the moment, the former champion is retired from the sport with a record of 17 wins and 5 losses.
“Perhaps emotionally or not we will find out. He told Tiki that he wanted to walk away, that he had had enough.”– Helwani continued
TJ Dillashaw has ventured into multiple business primarily in his Clean Juice company. So it’s needless to say that Dillashaw will find himself occupied after his MMA retirement, However, fans are certainly going to miss watching one of the best banatmweights in the UFC history perform inside the octagon.
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