T.J. Dillashaw’s strength and conditioning coach releases a statement on Dillashaw’s two-year suspension.
Last month it was announced that T.J. Dillashaw had decided to voluntarily relinquish his bantamweight title after testing positive for an unknown banned substance.
The former two-time UFC bantamweight champion was immediately suspended for one year by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) and, earlier this week, it was revealed what substance Dillashaw tested positive for.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that Dillashaw had been using EPO (recombinant human erythropoietin), and had received a two-year suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
“I’m quite familiar with EPO from my days investigating professional cycling teams. It’s a very effective substance. It’s not a substance you find in contaminated supplements, it’s injectable only. You have to know what you’re doing when it enters your system.
”On a scale of seriousness in anti-doping, it’s up near the top,” UFC Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky said in relation to Dillashaw’s suspension.
Shortly after the suspension was announced, Dillashaw’s nutritionist and strength and conditioning coach, Sam Calavitta, released a lengthy statement to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
Calavitta didn’t try to excuse Dillashaw’s positive drug test but referred to the 33-year-old as a ‘fallen soldier on the battlefield of public expectation.’
Statement from TJ Dillashaw’s nutritionist/strength and conditioning coach Sam Calavitta. pic.twitter.com/2usauhm7ru
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 10, 2019
“It is with a heavy heart that I, Coach Cal, the owner, founder and purveyor of The Treigning Lab, have recently seen the defeat of one of our family members in recent months. This defeat is not due to the skills and combat savvy of an opponent of flesh, but rather a defeat at the perilous hands of a far more sinister foe; the demon of self doubt which haunts each and everyone of us at one time or another in our lives.
“As a man of few words, preferring passion and belief as a shield to be carried out upon, I am bemused to careless and reckless dialogue for no other purpose than to make myself heard among the masses plagued by willful ignorance. However, this is an appropriate, and even required time for the head of a family to speak out. And this, is such time.
The Treigning Lab in no way condones or encourages our family of athletes worldwide, to partake in the perilous downward spiraling helix of synthetic performance enhancement. To do so is not only harmful to the individual but also harmful to the brothers, sisters, and other family members who are judged guilty by association.
Yet, the arena of public scrutiny is heavily weighted down by the enigma of fear for what one does not understand. To that end, the fact remains that The Treigning Lab, in concept and private practice established itself among Olympic and Collegiate athletes in 2001 and embarked on the life changing journey through sport with thousands of athletes spawning almost two decades of unparalleled excellence. We use quantitative analysis, metabolically accurate nutrition, proper supplementation, recovery facilitation and a training regiment of such high intensity that few have the wherewithal to imagine, much less dare to embrace. In the same amount of time our athletes have never failed a single mandated test, yet reside among the elite of their chosen sports; standing at the top of the podium in character and integrity.
The Treigning Lab was built on the foundation of integrity, hard work and most importantly family. So in light of recent events The Treigning Lab and its affiliates would first like to thank USADA for upholding the standard of sterling athletic practices and offering tests to ensure the safety and fairness of competitive sports. Tha being said we would like to thank all of those who have come forward during this time to show genuine concern for all of our athletes, including TJ Dillashaw, a fallen soldier of the battlefield of public expectation and demand for perfection. Although not right, and inexcusable, TJ Dillashaw succumbed to the relentless pressure win at any cost for the purpose of appeasing his employers, pleasing his fan base, and providing for his family; a sentiment that we can all relate to.”
The earliest Dillashaw can return to competition is Jan. 19, 2021.