By Nikki Schmidt
Controversy surrounds Team Alpha Male with the recent departure of UFC Bantamweight Champion, T.J. Dillashaw. Urijah Faber, founder of Team Alpha Male and former World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight champion, has been fielding questions over the drama of his former teammate and pupil leaving to train in Colorado with Elevation Fight Team and former T.A.M. coach Duane Ludwig. As the time has gone on, both Dillashaw and Faber have commented on their positions of the split.
Two different sides to this story are emerging.
Background
Looking at the timeline of this friendship, it actually predates the forming of the UFC’s Bantamweight division. Dillashaw joined Teamed Alpha Male back in 2009, before debuting in March 2010. Four years later in 2014, T.J. won the Bantamweight title, earning the first Championship for T.A.M., that same month Duane Ludwig head coach for TAM departed after falling out with Faber amidst allegations of sexism and racism. Finally in October 2015, Dillashaw joined Elevation Fight Team , and our friend to foe controversy began.
Messy Divorce
(Image: UFC)
Since the parting of ways many speculated that these former friends would soon become foes in the octagon. Accusations and blame have been thrust upon both sides as interviews surrounding the controversy dug into the details. Dillashaw claimed he had every intention of maintaining a friendly relationship with the team and had hoped to return to their gym to train, but ultimately felt that a move to Elevation Fight Team was not only more lucrative but also an opportunity to train with former coach Duane Ludwig. In an interview with MMA Hour, Dillashaw commented, “I thought he (Faber) was going to understand my position and understand where I’m at and kind of feel that he put me in this position.” He went on to say, “I’ve been stuck in between Urijah and Duane Ludwig for this last camp, going back and forth for my training camp and they kept bickering at each other and making it tough on me. I mean, he brought a coach into Team Alpha Male for the last two years of my career that I learned to believe in and I learned to love and I learned to trust with my career. And then a bunch of drama happens and I’m having to choose where I go and who I want to train with. Am I not supposed to train with a coach that I put all my faith into and helped me win a world title.” Dillashaw credited Ludwig as the best in the business and the reason his kickboxing has developed and honed to its current level.
Confrontation and Confusion
On the other side of this controversy, Faber claimed that this departure was preempted by rumors of Dillashaws departure, but when he confronted T.J. he was told that in no way was Dillashaw leaving. Faber went on to say that a week after that conversation with Dillashaw, while at lunch with teammates, T.J. announced he was leaving to train in Colorado and would be joining another team. After the departure, Faber commented during an interview on Stud Show Radio that twice during their time as teammates he turned down a fight with Dillashaw. Now though, he’s stated that a face-off between the two seems to be inevitable. He also said that the rumors of Dillashaws banning from TAM gym just made sense from a business point of view and is in the best interest of his team. Faber has gone on to claim that the loss of T.J. might benefit team members who have suffered injuries during sparing with T.J. when his temper flares. Alpha Male coach Prado put in his opinion, quoted saying, “I understand his point (Dillashaw) and I can’t criticize that, but what I can say is that we have at least 10 talents like him at Team Alpha Male. There are not only fighters here, but great trainers. I’m sure we’ll produce another champion soon.”
Future of the Bantamweights
A fight between these former teammates has yet to be scheduled but with all the controversy surrounding them how can the UFC not capitalize on this and give the fans a fight they are chomping at the bit to see? We haven’t see a grudge match the likes of this since perhaps Jon Jones and Rashad Evans back in 2012. Taking a look at Faber, we have a completely, well-rounded fighter with fast striking power, strong takedowns, good ground control, and a large compact build for the bantamweight division. Whereas Dillashaw has stellar wrestling and ground and pound, raw striking power, great cardio and conditioning, and developed kickboxing skills. Putting the skills of these two fighters up against each other, I can’t help but predict a bloodbath rained down on Faber by the younger Dillashaw. These two, besides bringing their personal baggage to the octagon, would bring experience and exceptional fighting skills. Whatever the outcome it should make for one exciting fight.
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