T.J. Dillashaw is not going anywhere after failing to capture the bantamweight title at UFC 280.
Dillashaw (17-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) was dominated and finished by bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (22-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) this past Saturday but was dealing with a serious shoulder injury that he concealed heading into it.
The former two-time UFC bantamweight champion’s shoulder dislocated early in the fight, something that happened to him numerous times during camp.
“Sparring was f*cking awesome,” Dillashaw told ESPN. “I was doing great in camp against high-level guys. The Juan Archuletas, the Cub Swansons, guys we were bringing in. I was on point, man. I really was looking really good. I was in insane shape. Because of the shoulder situation I had been working harder on my physical therapy and working on strengthening up my shoulder.”
He continued, “The way I felt and the things that were going on, obviously it got worse the closer I got to the fight, but man, I was on point – because of me having one arm and that changed my game plan up, but I was so focused on the combos I can hit with my right hand and kicks that I felt amazing.”
"An unfortunate situation all around and just kind of a waste of everybody's time."
Do you agree with @mma_kings' take on T.J. Dillashaw hiding his shoulder injury before #UFC280?#SpinningBackClique | Full episode ▶️ https://t.co/4xb35o2VyU pic.twitter.com/07EZrNp69Q
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 26, 2022
Dillashaw is expected to have surgery to repair his shoulder, which will sideline him for a year or more. Plagued with both knee and shoulder injuries in the past couple of years, the 36-year-old has spent a lot of time out but still vows to come back.
“I don’t feel that my ability has gone anywhere, maybe a little bit of want,” Dillashaw added. “This sport is a tough one, and then all the bullsh*t I go through here and there kills a little bit of the fire, but I think my competitive edge will always drive me. So I’m not done. You guys will see me again. There’s no way I’d go out like that, and if I come back, I’ll get back to the top.”
