After returning from a two-and-a-half year layoff, T.J. Dillashaw will be forced to the sidelines once again.
Dillashaw (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) took to Instagram Monday night to reveal that he suffered a displaced bucket handle tear of his lateral meniscus and a lateral collateral ligament in his hard-fought split-decision win over Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC on ESPN 27 on Saturday and is expected to undergo surgery in the next few days.
“No place like home, this right here brings me all the joy I need. #daddyshome
.
Went in for a mri today, found out that I suffered a displaced Bucket Handle tear of the Lateral Meniscus and a Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) rupture at the end of the first round landing ground and pound while being lazy in a compromised position. The good news is that these tears are repairable and will have a very speedy recovery. Going in for surgery in the next couple days. Loved being in the cage even though I had to push through some adversities to grit out the win. Thank you for the support, it’s belt season now. 🏆”
Dillashaw, who returned from a two-year U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspension that stemmed from a positive drug test for EPO, claims that the knee injury happened in the first round, when Sandhagen latched onto his leg in one of their scrambles. The former two-time UFC bantamweight champion had to battle through the adversity of both an injured knee and a nasty gash on his eye but was able to outlast Sandhagen in an all-out war.
He will take the necessary time off for recovery and is eyeing the winner of the bantamweight title fight between champion Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan, which is expected to take place at UFC 267 in October.
