TJ Dillashaw has been backed to copy Conor McGregor's drug-testing loophole after calling time on his UFC career.
Dillashaw challenged for the bantamweight title against champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280, but was stopped in the second round after dislocating his shoulder. Dillashaw has now brought the curtain down on his 11-year UFC stint and been removed from the promotion's roster.
Since then, fans have theorised that Dillashaw could be taking time out of the UFC to heal from his injury without being drug-tested, much like Conor McGregor has done. And UFC featherweight Arnold Allen has backed the fan-led theory and had his say, commenting on Instagram : "The McGregor loophole"
McGregor has been out of action since last July and is eyeing a return in 2023, but was told he may have to wait six months as he is currently absent from the USADA testing pool. Rules have stated that fighters must be enrolled in the programme for that period before being eligible to compete which has been reiterated by UFC president Dana White.
USADA released a statement suggesting that there is a way around the testing programme, which read: “Once UFC athletes are enrolled in the testing program, they are subject to testing - even when not competing - unless they notify the UFC of their retirement, their contract is terminated, or they are otherwise removed from the program.
“Once UFC athletes are enrolled in the testing program, they are subject to testing - even when not competing - unless they notify the UFC of their retirement, their contract is terminated, or they are otherwise removed from the program. But in both cases under the UFC rules, the athlete must provide at least two negative samples before returning to competition."
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Dillashaw would be able to notify the UFC of retirement which would see him no longer enrolled in the scheme and no longer subject to random testing. McGregor himself has stated he is confident he will return prior to the allotted time, tweeting: "I am clear for testing in February. I will complete my two tests per USADA and we are booking a fight."
Dillashaw had a hugely successful career in the UFC where he rose to become champion in 2014 with an upset win over Diego Brandao. He made a series of defences before making an attempt to become double-champion but came up short against Henry Cejudo.
He was then forced to give up his bantamweight title after confirming he had tested positive for EPO through a USADA drug test, which saw him suspended for two years. He bounced back recently with a return win over Cory Sandhagen before losing in his title challenge against Sterling which is expected will be the final fight in the octagon.
