Jeff Novitzky: TJ Dillashaw didn’t test positive vs Cody Garbrandt
As is the case with most incidents where fighters get busted for performance-enhancing drug (PED) use, it puts everything in the past into question. That has been no different with former two-time UFC champion, TJ Dillashaw who recently tested positive for EPO use a day prior to his last bout which took place in January.
In turn, he is now suspended for two years.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Dillashaw also tested positive for the PED prior to his most recent one as well.
Throughout all the news that’s come out, Dillashaw’s former teammate and rival, Cody Garbrandt has been vocal about the news and even predicted Dillashaw’s usings back around their fight time.
However, UFC Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, Jeff Novitzky shared with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter that Dillashaw’s test samples from his two bouts with Garbrandt all came back negative.
“I just spoke with @JeffNovitzkyUFC, who informed me that previous samples from TJ Dillashaw that were taken before and after his matchups with Cody Garbrandt did specifically test for EPO and all results were negative.
“For the sake of clarification, Dillashaw’s samples from the bouts with Garbrandt were tested at the time of those bouts for EPO when they were initially collected and may not still be in storage for re-testing.
Same applies for his bouts with [Raphael] Assuncao and [John] Lineker per Novitzky.” Bronsteter tweeted.
For Garbrandt, his last fight came at UFC 235 in early March when he took on Pedro Munhoz. Unfortunately for the former champion, he would suffer a third consecutive knockout loss as Munhoz found the finish in the opening round.
As for Dillashaw, he’ll be eligible to return to the Octagon in January 2021.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/12/2019
Topics:
TJ Dillashaw UFC
