Fans React Cynically as T.J. Dillashaw’s Knuckles Appear to be Badly Swollen Before UFC Return Fight

Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw is just days away from taking on Cory Sandhagen in his return fight. Much has been made of Dillashaw’s return, especially considering the circumstances under which he left the sport. The former Team Alpha Male stand-out tested positive for EPO and was served with a two-year mandatory suspension from USADA.

Now that he’s finally back, fans can’t wait to see how he’ll perform under the bright lights. Chiefly when he was present for his media scrum, all eyes were on Dillashaw’s every move and a Twitter user pointed out something interesting.

While he sat down for his scrum, it was evident that T.J. Dillashaw’s knuckles were extremely swollen and bruised. The user who pointed this out was Dr. David Abbassi, an orthopedic sports surgeon who treats high-profile athletes. He noted that the bruising and swelling could occur due to several causes.

Many fans dismissed the swelling as a mere bi-product of Dillashaw’s extensive training camp in preparation for his camp. After all, he was scheduled to face ‘The Sandman’ some time back and has been in training ever since.

However, there was a certain section of the fanbase that couldn’t help but posit some rather sinister theories.

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T.J. Dillashaw: All eyes on the former champion

One thing is for sure, people can’t seem to get enough of Dillashaw and the anticipation for his return is palpable. His high-profile status as a champion who never lost his belt certainly goes a long way in building his mystique.

Not to mention, he returns to a division which has changed significantly and fans can’t help but wonder how he will adapt. Several current top contenders weren’t even in the picture when Dillashaw made his way to the top.

Saturday night will be a massive test for Dillashaw as he’s going up against a possible future champion in Sandhagen. Not to mention, both men were former training partners thus adding an additional element of intrigue. The title landscape at bantamweight is sure to get a lot of clarity once the curtain closes on UFC Vegas 32.

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