The UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has attempted to address the provocations against TJ Dillashaw ahead of UFC 280.
In an interview with ‘Submission Radio’, the “Funk Master” said that his opponent has already been suspended for two years for doping and believed he still uses banned drugs.
“If I had to make a prediction, I’d say there’s no doubt in my head that this guy is finding some kind of doctor or a small micro dosage or whatever it is to get this crap to work.” Sterling said.
“I believe he’s finding some way to get the upper hand again, and he’s been doing that his entire UFC career. So I’m at peace with that. At the end of the story, it is what it is.” Sterling added.
Back in April 2019, Dillashaw accepted a two-year suspension after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. He is not eligible to return to the Octagon until January 18, 2021.
“I recognise that I’m going to go in there with this guy knowing there’s a high chance that this will happen. I feel like this won’t be the first guy I’ve fought that has been using some extra supplements.” Sterling said.
“So I think my hard work and my skill set was enough to get the job done before, and I think I can do that job again,” Sterling added.
Sterling will now make his second title defense against an opponent who has already had a taste of being champions in the same division after two intense and controversial fights against Russian Petr Yan.
Sterling and Dillashaw will face the main event of UFC 280 , which is scheduled for October 22, 2022 and will be held in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
