Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has been suspended for 2-years by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) for prohibited substance, recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO).
Dillashaw had voluntarily vacated his UFC bantamweight title last month after there was an adverse finding in his system from his bout against Henry Cejudo on Jan. 20 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
TJ Dillashaw will be 35-years old when his suspension is over. His 2-year suspension will be dated retroactively to Jan. 18, 2019, the day the test was submitted.
Although Dillashaw’s former opponents have thrown a lot of shade at him, his nutritionist/strength and conditioning coach Sam Calavitta has posted a lengthy message stating that Dillashaw’s took PEDs because of extreme expectations fans have from him at the highest level of Mixed Martial Arts.
Statement from TJ Dillashaw’s nutritionist/strength and conditioning coach Sam Calavitta. pic.twitter.com/2usauhm7ru
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 10, 2019
“It is with a heavy heart that I, Coach Cal, the owner, founder, and purveyor of The Treigning Lab, have recently seen the defeat of one of our family members in recent months. This defeat is not due to the skills and combat savvy of an opponent of flesh, but rather a defeat at the perilous hands of a far more sinister foe; the demon of self-doubt which haunts each and every one of us at one time or another in our lives.
As a man of few words, preferring passion and belief as a shield to be carried out upon, I am bemused to careless and reckless dialogue for no other purpose than to make myself heard among the masses plagued by willful ignorance. However, there is an appropriate, and even required time for the head of a family to speak out. And, this is such a time.
The Treigning Lab in no way condones or encourages our family of athletes, worldwide, to partake in the perilous downward spiralling helix of synthetic performance enhancement. To do so is not only harmful to the individual but also harmful to the brothers, sisters, and other family members who are judged guilty by association. Yet, the arena of public scrutiny is heavily weighted down with the enigma of fear for what it does not understand. To that end, the fact remains that The Treigning Lab, in concept and private practice established itself among Olympic and collegiate wrestlers in the year 2001 and has embarked on the life-changing journey through sport with thousands of athletes spanning almost two decades of unparalleled excellence. We use quantitative analysis, metabolically accurate nutrition, proper supplementation, recovery facilitation, intelligence, and a training regiment of such high intensity that few have the wherewithal to imagine, much less would dare to embrace. In the same amount of time, our athletes have never failed a single mandated test, yet reside among the elite in each of their chosen sports; standing at the top of the podium of character and integrity.
The Treigning Lab was built upon the foundation of integrity, hard work, and most importantly family. So, in light of recent events The Treigning Lab and its affiliates would, first, like to thank USADA for upholding the standard of sterling athletic practices and offering tests to ensure the safety and fairness of competitive sports. That being said, we would also like to thank all those who have come forward at this time to show their genuine concern for all of our athletes, especially TJ Dillashaw, a fallen soldier on the battlefield of public expectation and demand for perfection. Although not right, and inexcusable, TJ succumbed to the relentless pressure to win at any cost for the purposes of appeasing his employers, pleasing his fan base, and providing for his family; a sentiment that we all can relate to.
He has now accepted the repercussions of his decisions; and as such, it is our decision as The Treigning Lab family, to stand beside him in his journey forward.” Calavitta said.
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