WhatCulture UFC Awards: Best Of 2019

5. Most Disappointing Fighter - TJ Dillashaw

Love him or hate him, it was difficult to deny that TJ Dillashaw was a great fighter, especially at the beginning of the year. The former UFC bantamweight champion had an incredible rematch with former teammate Cody Garbrandt, savagely knocking him out at UFC 227 in 2018 to further confirm himself as the best bantamweight on the planet.

Following that win, Dillashaw decided that he wanted to drop down a weight class and take on Henry Cejudo for the flyweight title in January. No-one can fault him for daring to be great. After all, that's what makes combat sports so fascinating, as we get to watch some of the world's finest athletes push themselves to the limit. However, Dillashaw pushed a little too far and it came back to bite him.

Not only was he knocked out by Cejudo during their flyweight title fight in January of this year, USADA also found traces of EPO in his system. Due to his infringement, the former 135lb champ is now banned from competing for two years. It's a terrible stain on what was becoming an incredible MMA legacy.

 
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Co-host of The Ill-Informed Podcast, jiu-jitsu fiend, MMA lover, movie fan, anime nerd, music snob.