TJ Dillashaw is the highest profile athlete that was caught using PEDs in the last couple of years. Dillashaw copped to having used peptide hormone EPO which grants superior cardio.
Erythropoietin (EPO) boosts exercise performance through increase in oxygen transport capacity following regular administration of EPO but preclinical study results suggest that single high dose of EPO also may improve exercise capacity.
He was suspended for 2 years and has returned to UFC since with victory over Cory Sandhagen.
“And let me tell you why you’re scum. Like, when you go and you beat a guy, maybe you were one, maybe one or one. You go, you beat these guys half their f*cking check is gone their ranking’s gone and they’re f*cking freaking like, like you do so much damage to somebody’s f*cking life just because you’re roided out, you are f*cking scum.”
Meanwhile Dana White praised Dillashaw for how he handled the suspension saying:
‘They handled it not like men. Dillashaw did. He took it on the chin. You’ve got to respect him for that.’
Dillashaw claimed he used PEDs in a bid to help him cut weight rather than make any difference in the octagon.
“For him to go out and say he’s the greatest bantamweight of all time right now just shows his arrogance which is exactly what I talk about,” Sterling said during the UFC 280 media day. “And I can’t wait to just bring him a little bit of humble pie.”
Both Sterling and Dillashaw look very muscular heading into their UFC 280 title clash.
Dillashaw is trying to move on with his life. He told media:
‘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.’