Conor McGregor never trusted TJ Dillashaw.
McGregor has been referring to Dillashaw as “a snake” for years now and successfully predicted his unceremonious departure from Team Alpha Male during their time filming The Ultimate Fighter 22 in 2015.
There was always something about Dillashaw that didn’t sit right with McGregor and while ‘The Notorious’ dedicated much of his trash talk on the show to driving a wedge between Dillashaw and his then-teammate Urijah Faber, McGregor always made it clear that he had more respect for Faber than his protege.
When news that Dillashaw had opted to relinquish his bantamweight title two weeks ago after learning of a United States Anti-Doping Agency violation, McGregor reacted with the below tweet.
I called that little snake way back.
I’m the new St. Patrick.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 21, 2019
More information has since emerged, with confirmation that Dillashaw has been hit with a two-year suspension for testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) ahead of his flyweight title fight against Henry Cejudo at the beginning of the year.
Dillashaw has not contested the suspension and the likes of former rival Cody Garbrandt perceives that as something of an admission of guilt.
Garbrandt has had his run-ins with McGregor also but the Irishman has commended the former 135lbs champion and congratulated him on getting his wins back after Garbrandt noted that his three career defeats have come against fighters who have failed a drug test – Dillashaw and Pedro Munhoz.
All of my losses are from Fighters that have popped for PEDs @ufc @usantidoping I can stand behind this when I say I’ll always be a drug free athlete, #1 reason is the believe I have in myself. #2 I respect the game 💯Twitter rant over y’all have a good day ❤️
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) April 9, 2019
McGregor, who engaged in a scuffle with Garbrandt on TUF 22, says he learned a lot about the character of ‘No Love’ when he stood up for Faber and didn’t tolerate Dillashaw’s defection.
“Respect Cody! The loyalty you showed for Urijah and your team on that faithful day in the TUF gym will forever stand out to me!” McGregor wrote on Twitter.
“Enjoy this moment and these returned victories to you! Clean and Unbeaten!”
Loyalty we both understand, I hope the family is well! 🙏🏻 https://t.co/V1cqKgRsrj
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) April 10, 2019
