TJ Dillashaw Undergoes Successful Elbow Surgery

With a proposed blockbuster bout with former champion Dominick Cruz on the horizon, reigning bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw underwent successful surgery on his elbow yesterday (Fri., October 18, 2014).

Dillashaw spoke up to MMA Fighting about the surgery, stating that he was suffering from bursitis. The champion explained how the injury occurred:

“Swollen from elbowing [Joe] Soto. Drained it multiple times but just kept coming back.”

The champion played off the injury, calling it a minor setback. “The Viper” said he’ll be in a splint for three weeks and recovery time is expected to be between three-five weeks total.

The Team Alpha Male standout has had a strange road to becoming bantamweight king. After replacing Raphael Assuncao to take on former champion Renan Barao last May at UFC 173, Dillashaw shocked the world by scoring a dominant upset, finishing the fight in the fifth round to secure the title.

The champion was then slated to rematch Barao last August at UFC 177. The bout was canceled after Barao fell ill the day before the fight and had to pull out. Joe Soto stepped up to take the fight against Dillashaw for the belt on just 24 hours notice. “The Viper” proved he was a champion by adapting to his new opponent and scoring another fifth-round knockout to keep his belt.

Although his path has been an unusual one, his next opponent is all set. Dillashaw will likely face Cruz next February or March, in what will definitely be the biggest match of his career. His elbow surgery will apparently not affect these plans.