Tyler Jeffrey Dillashaw, an American ex-professional mixed martial artist, made his mark in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion, Dillashaw's career was marked by both success and controversy. His achievements include winning The Ultimate Fighter 20 tournament and two Bantamweight Championship reigns. However, his legacy is also intertwined with a two-year suspension for testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), a performance-enhancing drug. This incident led to Dillashaw relinquishing his title and significantly impacted his standing in the sport.
February 7, 1986: Birth of T.J. Dillashaw
T.J. Dillashaw was born on February 7, 1986.
2005: Freshman Wrestling Season at Cal State Fullerton
Dillashaw began his freshman wrestling season at Cal State Fullerton in 2005-2006.
2006: Sophomore Wrestling Season and Trip to Ukraine
Dillashaw had a more successful sophomore wrestling season and traveled to Ukraine to improve his skills in 2006.
April 2007: Placed Sixth in University Greco Wrestling Championships
In April 2007, Dillashaw placed sixth in the University Greco Wrestling Championships.
2009: Graduated from Cal State Fullerton and Transitioned to MMA
Dillashaw graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2009 and began training in MMA.
March 26, 2010: Professional MMA Debut
Dillashaw made his professional MMA debut on March 26, 2010, against Czar Sklavos, winning by unanimous decision.
December 3, 2011: UFC Debut at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale
On December 3, 2011, Dillashaw made his official UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale, losing to John Dodson.
2011: Signed with the UFC and Entered The Ultimate Fighter
Dillashaw signed with the UFC and competed on The Ultimate Fighter in 2011.
2011: Competed on The Ultimate Fighter
In 2011, Dillashaw competed on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.
February 15, 2012: Victory over Walel Watson at UFC on Fuel TV 1
Dillashaw defeated Walel Watson by unanimous decision on February 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 1.
July 11, 2012: Submission Victory over Vaughan Lee
On July 11, 2012, Dillashaw submitted Vaughan Lee in the first round at UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman.
December 8, 2012: Withdrawal from Bout Due to Injury
Dillashaw was scheduled to fight Mike Easton on December 8, 2012, but withdrew due to an injury.
March 16, 2013: Knockout Victory over Issei Tamura
Dillashaw knocked out Issei Tamura on March 16, 2013 at UFC 158.
April 20, 2013: TKO Victory over Hugo Viana
Dillashaw won by TKO against Hugo Viana on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7.
September 4, 2013: Postponed Bout with Raphael Assunção
Dillashaw's bout with Raphael Assunção, scheduled for September 4, 2013, was postponed due to Assunção's medical issue.
October 9, 2013: Fight of the Night against Raphael Assunção
On October 9, 2013, Dillashaw lost a split decision to Raphael Assunção at UFC Fight Night 29, but both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors.
January 15, 2014: Victory over Mike Easton
Dillashaw defeated Mike Easton by unanimous decision on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35.
May 24, 2014: Upset Victory over Renan Barão for Bantamweight Title
Dillashaw won the UFC Bantamweight Championship on May 24, 2014, by defeating Renan Barão via TKO in a major upset. He also earned Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses.
June 2014: Marriage to Rebecca
T.J. Dillashaw married Rebecca in June 2014.
August 30, 2014: TKO Victory over Joe Soto
Dillashaw defended his title against Joe Soto on August 30, 2014, winning by TKO and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
2014: Won the UFC Bantamweight Championship
Dillashaw won the UFC Bantamweight Championship in 2014 by defeating Renan Barao.
April 25, 2015: Withdrawal from Rematch with Renan Barão
Dillashaw withdrew from his scheduled rematch with Renan Barão on April 25, 2015, due to a rib injury.
July 25, 2015: TKO Victory over Renan Barão in Rematch
On July 25, 2015, Dillashaw defeated Renan Barão again by TKO in their rematch and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.
October 2015: Departure from Team Alpha Male
In October 2015, T.J. Dillashaw left Team Alpha Male and moved his training camp to Denver, Colorado, due to various disagreements, including allegations regarding PED use and training practices.
January 17, 2016: Loss to Dominick Cruz and Loss of Bantamweight Title
Dillashaw lost his title to Dominick Cruz on January 17, 2016, via split decision at UFC Fight Night 81. Both fighters received Fight of the Night honors.
July 9, 2016: Victory over Raphael Assunção in Rematch
Dillashaw won his rematch against Raphael Assunção by unanimous decision on July 9, 2016, at UFC 200.
December 30, 2016: Dominant Victory over John Lineker
On December 30, 2016, at UFC 207, Dillashaw dominated John Lineker, securing a unanimous decision victory with a 30-26 score from all judges.
2016: Lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship
Dillashaw lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Dominick Cruz in 2016.
January 2017: Coaching on The Ultimate Fighter 25
In January 2017, the UFC announced Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 25.
July 8, 2017: UFC 213 Canceled
T.J. Dillashaw's scheduled bout against Cody Garbrandt at UFC 213 on July 8, 2017, was canceled due to Garbrandt's back injury.
November 4, 2017: Dillashaw Reclaims Bantamweight Title
On November 4, 2017, at UFC 217, T.J. Dillashaw defeated Cody Garbrandt via knockout in the second round to regain the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
2017: Regained the UFC Bantamweight Championship
Dillashaw regained the UFC Bantamweight Championship against Cody Garbrandt in 2017.
August 4, 2018: Dillashaw Defends Bantamweight Title
T.J. Dillashaw successfully defended his UFC Bantamweight Championship against Cody Garbrandt on August 4, 2018, at UFC 227, winning by TKO in the first round.
January 19, 2019: Loss of Flyweight Title Bout
On January 19, 2019, T.J. Dillashaw lost to Henry Cejudo by TKO in the first round at UFC Fight Night 143. This was for the Flyweight Championship.
January 26, 2019: UFC 233 Cancellation
Dillashaw's scheduled fight against Henry Cejudo for the UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 233 on January 26, 2019 was canceled.
March 20, 2019: Relinquishment of Bantamweight Title and Suspension
On March 20, 2019, T.J. Dillashaw relinquished the UFC bantamweight championship after adverse findings by USADA and NYSAC. He received suspensions from both organizations.
2019: Stripped of the UFC Bantamweight Championship
Dillashaw was stripped of the title in 2019 after testing positive for a banned substance.
January 19, 2021: End of USADA Suspension
T.J. Dillashaw's two-year suspension from USADA ended on January 19, 2021, making him eligible to compete again.
May 8, 2021: Withdrawal from Cory Sandhagen Bout
Dillashaw withdrew from his scheduled fight against Cory Sandhagen on May 8, 2021, due to a cut sustained in training.
July 24, 2021: Victory over Cory Sandhagen
On July 24, 2021, T.J. Dillashaw won a controversial split decision against Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw. He sustained a knee injury during the fight.
2021: Returned from Suspension
Dillashaw returned from his two-year suspension in 2021.
October 22, 2022: Loss to Aljamain Sterling
T.J. Dillashaw lost to Aljamain Sterling for the UFC Bantamweight Championship at UFC 280 on October 22, 2022, by TKO in the second round. He revealed a pre-existing shoulder injury.
December 5, 2022: Retirement from MMA
On December 5, 2022, T.J. Dillashaw officially retired from mixed martial arts and was removed from the UFC roster.
2022: Challenged for the Bantamweight Championship and Retired
In 2022, Dillashaw challenged for the bantamweight championship again but subsequently retired.