USADA, the UFC’s anti-doping partner, confirmed former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw tested positive in a drug test ahead of his January loss to flyweight champ Henry Cejudo in Brooklyn.
T.J. Dillashaw’s announcement of his positive drug test was confirmed by USADA Wednesday afternoon.
Dillashaw tested positive in an in-competition drug test administered by USADA on Jan. 18, according to a written statement USADA spokesperson Danielle Eurich sent to Bloody Elbow. The test was conducted the day before Dillashaw’s bout against Henry Cejudo at UFC Brooklyn, which he lost via first-round TKO.
“In light of Mr. Dillashaw’s social media post this morning, we can confirm that an in-competition test conducted by USADA on January 18, 2019 resulted in an adverse analytical finding,” the statement read.
According to USADA policy, an adverse analytical finding “identifies in a sample the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers,” or “evidence of the use of a prohibited method.”
Dillashaw announced on social media Wednesday morning that one of his drug tests in relation to the Cejudo fight resulted in an “adverse finding.” He relinquished the UFC bantamweight title as a result of the finding.
The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) suspended Dillashaw for one year and fined him $10,000 on Wednesday. Dillashaw is still facing sanctions from USADA, but a full investigation has yet to be completed.
“In this instance, we are able to confirm the finding due to Mr. Dillashaw’s public statement,” the USADA statement read. “The presumption of innocence under the rules is a vital part of an effective anti-doping program and it’s only fair that Mr. Dillashaw be allowed due process before any conclusions are drawn.”
It is not yet clear what banned substance Dillashaw tested positive for.
Dillashaw challenged Cejudo for the flyweight belt in Cejudo’s first title defense. Until the drug test news, a rematch was planned for bantamweight later this year.