Shortly after TJ Dillashaw was notified of a potential United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) a few weeks ago, “Viper” took it upon himself to relinquish his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight title before any suspension was even handed out.
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While some were caught off guard with the move with mixed reaction, Marlon Moraes says TJ is simply trying to put on his “great guy” hat by doing it voluntarily.
“That’s his move, and that’s the part I don’t like about the whole situation. He’s trying to trick the fans and tell everybody he did this because he’s a great guy and wants to see the division flowing. Of course not,” said Moraes in a recent interview with the media via MMA Junkie.
To hear “Magic” tell it, Dillashaw — whom he claims has been ducking him — was just trying to beat UFC to the punch.
“He was away forever. He never said yes to fighting me, and he’s just tricking the fans. But I think everybody saw that,” he added. “He came up with a notice in the morning. He was just anticipating what the UFC and (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) was going to do later on.”
As a result of TJ’s first-ever failed test, Moraes will face current UFC Flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo, for the vacant strap at the upcoming UFC 238 fight card on June 8, 2019 inside United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
As far as TJ’s fighting future is concerned, that process is still playing itself out.