T.J. Dillashaw doubts he’ll be capable of compete once more.
The previous two-time UFC bantamweight champion underwent a number of shoulder surgical procedures after dropping his title battle to Aljamain Sterling in October 2022. Dillashaw went into the battle injured and wound up dislocating his shoulder in the course of the battle.
It’s been a protracted highway to restoration for 38-year-old Dillashaw (17-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC), who remains to be within the therapeutic course of. When requested by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson if he nonetheless desires to chase his objective of turning into a jiu-jitsu blackbelt, Dillashaw didn’t present a constructive response.
“I can’t even elevate my arm up within the air but,” Dillashaw mentioned on the “JAXXON PODCAST.” “I don’t even know if my shoulder is ever going to be the identical once more. It’s f*cking miserable. As a competitor, it’s important to be delusionally optimistic, however that’s additionally what obtained me on this place, too. It’s simply gotten worse and worse from every surgical procedure.
“I had a large surgical procedure. I went to the world’s finest specialist, and it’s like he’s by no means seen something prefer it. It seemed like a bomb went off in there. … There’s a number of therapeutic to be accomplished, and I’m hoping that possibly it’s identical to me staying after my PTs goes to make it higher and higher and higher, however that is my third surgical procedure since my final battle, and it’s not trying good.”
Dillashaw retired after dropping to Sterling however mentioned he’d contemplate returning if his shoulder healed. However along with his shoulder nonetheless inflicting him issues, Dillashaw seems to have closed the door on returning fully.
“It’s thrilling, and it’s unhappy on the similar time.” Dillashaw mentioned of watching fights. “Like, I’m f*cking accomplished, you recognize what I imply? I used to be compelled out of the game, and it sucks. I really feel like I had a lot extra to provide nonetheless. It’s thrilling. That’s the way in which I have a look at it.”
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