Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has accepted a two-year suspension after failing a doping test.
He vacated the title last month after being informed that he returned an adverse finding in his last bout against Henry Cejudo.
Dillashaw stepped down a division to challenge flyweight champion Cejudo in January but was stopped after only 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.
In a statement released on Instagram last month, Dillashaw wrote: "To all my fans, I wanted to be the first one to let you know that USADA and the NYSAC have informed me of an adverse finding in a test taken for my last fight.
“While words can’t even begin to express how disappointed I am at this time, please know that I am working with my team to understand what has occurred and how to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.
“Out of fairness and respect to the rest of my division, I’ve informed the UFC that I’ll be voluntarily relinquishing my title while I deal with this matter. I want to thank all of you in advance for the support.”
Additional reporting by the Press Association.
