T.J. Dillashaw apologizes for EPO use

Former UFC bantamweight champion, T.J. Dillashaw recently relinquished his title after he was flagged by USADA and the New York State Athletic Commission. It was then reported Dillashaw was suspended two years by USADA for EPO use.

EPO just happens to be the same drug famous cyclist Lance Armstrong took.

Now, Dillashaw took to Instagram to release a statement on being suspended and taking EPO.

“I messed up and am having a hard time trying to forgiving myself for this — which I should have a hard time. I should have a hard time forgiving myself.

“As of January 18, 2021, I’m allowed to come back. The road to come back is — I had shoulder surgery yesterday on my right shoulder. Two months later, I’m getting my left one done. I had torn rotator cuffs and labrums for the last two and a half years I’ve been dealing with. It’ll be nice to get those healed up and come back.

“I’ve had people tell me I should just disappear and let this stuff die out — let this thing die out and just disappear. I don’t think that’s the way I’m handling this thing. Going at it head first. [I’m] showing my son that when you make a mistake, you face it to its face. You don’t run from it. Trust me, I’d love to run away and hide in a cave for the next two years and continue to grow out this shitty beard.

“It’s been weighing on me and like I said, it should be. This is who I am. I’m a fighter and I’ll fight my way through this one. I’d like to apologize to my fans, anyone I’ve let down, my family, my coaches, my teammates. I can’t say sorry enough for the stuff you’re dealing with because of me.

“This won’t be the end of me. I’ll be back. I’m making you a promise now that I’ll be back better. I’ll be back stronger. I’ll prove that the hard work I put into it got me to where I’m at and not the bad decisions I made. That’s all I can do. All I can do to redeem myself is work hard. Be better. I want to be better. I will.”