Mystic Mac is at it again.
A month after warning Urijah Faber that his pupil T.J. Dillashaw was "a snake in the grass," Conor McGregor is taking credit for the UFC bantamweight champion's departure from Team Alpha Male.
In September, McGregor scolded Faber for involving Dillashaw in the 'Ultimate Fighter' process by digging at the tension between Faber and exiled former head coach Duane Ludwig. Faber laughed off McGregor's talk, calling Dillashaw "his boy." Dillashaw echoed the same a week later during an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
"You shouldn't have brought him in," McGregor said on TUF Talk. "That was your moment to build [a fight] up and you let him come in. He took over your s**t. You brought him up from high school, you brought him up through the game. He's not your boy. Come on. There are no boys in this. He's not your boy. I don't mind him, but I sense disloyalty. I sense a snake and I'm going to say that when I see it."
As news broke Tuesday that Dillashaw would be leaving Sacremento to train full-time in Colorado with Ludwig and the Elevation Fight Team, McGregor seemed to be one step ahead, once again.
I predict these things.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 7, 2015
McGregor also wants credit for creating a natural booking between Dillashaw and Faber.
I just turned two Duds into two draws.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 7, 2015
I just know it's red panty night over at Zuffa right now! #GrudgeMatchOnMeBoys
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 7, 2015
Offspring numbers. On the house.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 7, 2015
I love the business. I am the business.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 7, 2015
Faber had returned to the featherweight division in 2015 largely to avoid stepping on Dillashaw's toes and to follow the money. Faber headlined opposite former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar in the UFC's return to the Philippines in May, losing a close decision.
Faber and Dillashaw have both gone on record stating an interest in fighting each other if the money was right. If Dillashaw defends his title to Dominick Cruz on Jan. 17, a lack of bankable contenders might make this a no-brainer.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
'I will be doing my training in Colorado.' UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw bolts Team Allpha Male to join Duane Ludwig in Colorado.
But of course. New Japanese promotion targeting Fedor Emelianenko vs. 1-0 Jaideep Singh on New Year's Eve.
'I'm not gonna sit back as an analyst and call her a world champion.' Chael Sonnen says he's not sure if Holly Holm can even out-strike UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.
Fortunes Changed for Five. Dave Meltzer explains how Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, Ryan Bader, Joseph Benavidez and Sage Northcutt move forward following UFC 192.
Toquinho. WSOF welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares isn't interested in fighting for WSOF anymore and asks to be released.
MEDIA STEW
Free Fight: Joe Duffy vs Jake Lindsey.
Ronda nervous about ESPN gig.
Highlights from the regional scene.
A look at Fedor Emelianenko's next opponent, Singh Jaideep.
Rampage Jackson calls out Michael Bisping for being "a traitor."
Cub Swanson in autotune hell.
Long watches.
MMA 3 Way: 2015 in review has MMA judging changed?
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Joe Rogan Experience #705 - Tait Fletcher
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TWEETS
Fedor reactions.
When u hear Fedor is making his return! . Then u see his opponent .
— LudwigMartialArtscom (@DUANEBANGCOM) October 6, 2015
People complaining about Fedor's opponent, for goodness sakes people he's undefeated... 1-0
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) October 6, 2015
Fedor really fighting opponent with 1-0 record!!! #mmaisfucked
— Georgi Karakhanyan (@georgimma) October 6, 2015
Dang.
Smashed some mitts with my man coach_joey916. Feeling sharp https://t.co/Byv6T9ZLxa
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) October 7, 2015
Awesome practice this AM with some Killers @teamalphamale new @torque1net gloves & Shins are $ -... https://t.co/PSbhGHiSlh
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) October 6, 2015
.@ROGER_C19 @Big_Christy if you didn't see Tj leaving months ago you're blind as a fucking bat. He feels that's what he has to do.
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) October 7, 2015
Intriguing.
http://t.co/yPRa67JjEC UFC just stopped me from retiring. More news to come on my next fight????????
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) October 7, 2015
Busy.
Had an amazing time on @fallontonight talkin #UFC193 #rouseyVSholm buffalo wings, Mario cart... https://t.co/LbuKLADbkK
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) October 7, 2015
Hangin with shaq backstage of @kellyandmichael episode airs Monday October 12th https://t.co/zpKMcJTkKN
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) October 7, 2015
With the champ @joannamma promoting #UFC193 #UFCMelbourne in NYC #Nov14th #andSTILL Link to buy to... https://t.co/oDuLGOLDmQ
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) October 6, 2015
Dat stache.
With the Bell of the BALL MS @danicapatrick @ Carmel Country Club https://t.co/fVtTx7bExv
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) October 7, 2015
Been a while.
My next fight, Featherweight (145 lb) debut, is locked in! Just waiting on @ufc to release details. Ready to takeover! #Pumped @JuryJJ
— Myles Jury (@FuryJury) October 6, 2015
Ready for the rematch.
I never know when @Sholler_UFC will cash in his money in the bank so I've always gotta watch my back. pic.twitter.com/PyAsvgHCNW
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 6, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 6 2015)
Cortney Casey vs. Seo Hee Ham at UFC Fight Night: Alves vs. Henderson
Chidi Njokuani vs. Ricky Rainey at Bellator 146
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.