UFC news: TJ Dillashaw accepts two-year doping ban after testing positive for EPO

Two-time UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has accepted his two-year ban for a failed doping test.

The American vacated the title last month after news broke of a positive test following his last bout against Henry Cejudo.

Dillashaw dropped down in weight to challenge flyweight champion Cejudo in January but was stopped after just 32 seconds at the Barclays Center in New York.

The 33-year-old tested positive for a prohibited substance, recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO).

"We all know the pressures to win at all levels of all sport are real and intense," said United States Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart.

"It is exactly why strong anti-doping efforts are necessary to protect clean athletes' rights, health, and safety, and to ensure that those who do succumb to these pressures and decide to break the rules will be held accountable in a real and meaningful way, as in this case."

Dillashaw's two-year suspension has been backdated to January 18, 2019, the date his sample was collected.

Dillashaw has not commented publicly on the ban since its announcement, though he has been updating fans about how he plans to spend his time during his ban.

"Was able to shoot a 89 today, which is great for me. Not bad for a Wednesday," said Dillashaw with a video of himself playing golf at Monarch Beach Golf Links in south Los Angeles.

PA Sport contributed to this report