By Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw faces a daunting challenge, not in the ring, but in his personal health journey. Despite his desire to return to competition, Dillashaw’s grappling future remains uncertain due to persistent shoulder issues that have plagued him since his MMA career’s end.
Dillashaw, now 38, retired in 2022 after a defeat by Aljamain Sterling, compounded by recurring shoulder dislocations—20 times during his training, he disclosed. Two years post-retirement, his condition has not improved, even after undergoing another surgery.
Expressing his frustration on the Jaxxxon podcast, Dillashaw admitted, “I can’t even raise my arm up in the air yet,” casting doubt on his shoulder ever fully recovering. The surgeries, which included muscle grafts and cadaver parts, have yet to yield a positive outcome, with Dillashaw describing the situation as “f*cking depressing.”
The extensive procedures he’s undergone have involved replacing parts of his lower trap and lat with his rotator cuffs, along with a cadaver bone graft. Despite these efforts, his shoulder’s state seems to worsen, leaving him clinging to hope that continued physical therapy might bring improvement.
Dillashaw’s illustrious career saw him at the pinnacle of the sport, but it was marred by a two-year suspension after testing positive for EPO. He made a triumphant return with a victory over Cory Sandhagen in 2021, earning another title opportunity. However, the ongoing shoulder complications led to his retirement.
Now, Dillashaw’s fight is for a semblance of normalcy, as he grapples with the reality of transitioning from a professional athlete to coping with significant physical limitations. It’s a sobering reminder of the toll that high-impact sports can take on an athlete’s body and the resilience required to face such adversity.
