Ahead of his upcoming UFC 280 co-main event slot against former two-time bantamweight champion, T.J. Dillashaw, defending division kingpin, Aljamain Sterling has claimed he can “guarantee” that the Angels Camp veteran is somehow utilizing a doctor or potentially microdosing, in order to gain an unfair advantage in their upcoming fight.
Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, is scheduled to co-headline UFC 280 later this month in Abu Dhabi, UAE against Californian veteran, Dillashaw – attempting to secure his second successful title defense at 135lbs after he scored a rematch title unification win against Petr Yan later this month.
As for Dillashaw, the former two-time bantamweight champion made a triumphant Octagon return in July of last year against recent winner, Cory Sandhagen, defeating the common-foe with a close, split decision judging.
The outing came as Dillashaw’s first since January 2019, where he suffered a first round knockout loss to former flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo.
However, in the weeks following Dillashaw’s loss, he was notified by USADA of a potential anti-doping violation, after he returned both in and out-of-competition test samples positive for the presence of erythropoietin (EPO).
Dillashaw was issued a two-year retroactive suspension for his infringement, and subsequently relinquished his undisputed bantamweight championship.
Aljamain Sterling remains spectacle of T.J. Dillashaw ability to refrain from utilizing PEDs
Yet to return a positive test for a banned substance since, Dillashaw is set to share the Octagon with Sterling on ‘Fight Island’ – however, the champion, Aljamain Sterling, remains unsure if the former has refrained from seeking an athletic and competitive advantage.
“If I had to make a prediction, I would say there’s definitely no doubt in my mind that that guy’s (T.J. Dillashaw) is finding some type of doctor or little microdosing or whatever, however that sh*t works,” Aljamain Sterling told Submission Radio during a recent interview. “I guarantee you he’s finding some type of way to get an edge once again, as he’s done his entire UFC career.”
“So, I already made peace with it,” Aljamain Sterling said. “So, at the end of the day, it is what it is. Like, I made the acknowledgement that I’m gonna step into thee with this guy, knowing that there’s a high chance of this happening. And it is what it is, man. I feel like this is not gonna be the first guy I fought that’s been on some supps (supplements), some extra supps. So, I think my hard work and skillset is enough to get the job done before, and I think it can get the job done again.” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)
Expected to feature at UFC 279 on September 10. – the undisputed bantamweight title fight between division champion, Aljamain Sterling, and challenger, former two-time division gold holder, T. J. Dillashaw, is now expected to land as the co-headlining bout for UFC 280 on October 22. at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, […]
Aljamain Sterling is ready to sign the paperwork to fight T.J. Dillashaw, but wants to be paid more before signing on the dotted line. News of the bantamweight title fight between Dillashaw and Sterling came out yesterday. The UFC was looking to book the fight as the headline of UFC 279 on September 10. It […]
An undisputed bantamweight title fight between defending division kingpin, Aljamain Sterling, and former two-time champion, the current #2 ranked contender, T.J. Dillashaw is currently in the works to land at UFC 279 on September 10. – with a location or venue for the promotion’s pay-per-view event yet to be determined by the organization. Aljamain Sterling […]