TJ Dillashaw vows to come back after a tough UFC 280 defeat

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.”

Dillashaw will likely require surgery to repair his shoulder, which would keep him out of action for at least a year. The 36-year-old has missed a lot of time due to shoulder and knee ailments over the previous two years, but he still plans to return.

“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.”