TJ Dillashaw suffers horror head wound on his return to UFC after TWO-YEAR drug ban as he beats Cory Sandhagen

UFC star TJ Dillashaw suffered a shocking head injury in his comeback fight against Cory Sandhagen as he made a winning return from his two-year drugs ban.

The American bantamweight defeated his fellow countryman by split decision after a gruelling five rounds in Las Vegas.


And the punishing battle left 35-year-old Dillashaw with a horror cut above his right eye.

But injuries are something Dillashaw is accustomed to, as he explained during his post-fight press conference.

He said: “I had a really, really, really rough camp. I couldn’t even spar this whole camp. The first camp going, we were supposed to go May 8. It went smooth other than getting cut. I was able to spar. My cut was going good.

"The second camp around, I could not stay healthy. The first injury was that I pinched this nerve in my foot doing a slider board.

"Up until two days ago, I had to work out with shoes on. This is like the worst thing I could’ve been dealing with.

“I tore my MCL in my right knee. I hurt my left shoulder, as well, the whole camp. It was a real rough camp.

"I didn’t want to obviously talk about it. I didn’t want to make (any) excuses. I just needed to get out there. It had been too f***ing long. There was no way I was going to pull out from the fight.”

Dillashaw was stepping into the octagon for the first time since he was crushed by Henry Cejudo in January 2019.

COMPETITION: SPOT THE BALL TO WIN A CAR AND CASH

DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £100,000

Dream Team 2021/22

PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON!

  • £100,000 in prize money up for grabs
  • £50million budget to build your best XI
  • Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
  • Click here to play for FREE
  • Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store



His time out of the sport was because it was revealed Dillashaw tested positive for recombinant human erythropoietin, otherwise known as EPO, in the pre and post-fight drug tests for the clash with Cejudo.

The banned substance landed the American with a two year punishment – which he has now served.

Dillashaw initially denied any wrongdoing, but in a rare turn of events admitted he cheated and 'got caught'.

In a 2019 interview with Chael Sonnen, who was also banned for a failed test during his career, Dillashaw said: "I messed up.

"I'm having a hard time trying to forgive myself for this – which I should have a hard time.

"I understand the criticism and the scrutiny coming my way. But what I really feel bad about is the bad light I'm bringing on my coaches, my family, my team-mates.

"They had no involvement in this, and I feel the worst for them. I've got a 15-month-old son, and I want to be a role model for him.

"I've got to man up to what I did. I accepted all penalties – I didn't try to fight this thing."

    Source: Read Full Article