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Everyone seems to have a take on T.J. Dillashaw's exit from his longtime camp at Team Alpha Male.
Did the UFC bantamweight champion spurn his former team just to train with exiled striking coach Duane Ludwig or did Dillashaw simply accept an offer he couldn't refuse?
Speaking with Sirius XM Rush (via MMA Mania) UFC vet and commentator Brian Stann says he's in full support of the move.
"I think that T.J.'s making the right decision, and here's why," said Stann. "First and foremost in this sport you've got to be selfish. It's something that held me back a little bit in my career and at the end of the day this is about how much money you can make over the longest period of time you can do it. If T.J. Dillashaw feels like that is the better environment for him to go to and make as much money as he can and maximizes opportunities then he's got to do it, whether it hurts some friends' feelings or not. His family and paying his bills to take care of his family come first, ahead of all else."
Not surprised by the move, Stann went on to call Colorado's Elevation Fight Team "one of the most underrated camp in MMA."
"The only mistake I think T.J. made, and I believe he said this just to soften the blow to his Team Alpha Male brothers, was saying, 'Hey, they're paying me good money to train there.' I think that was a mistake. That puts Elevation Fight Team in a really tough position when more people want to come to that gym. They're are going to start to be questions, 'Hey, how come this guy is making money. If you're paying him to train here then why aren't I getting the same thing?'
"It sets a tough precedent. I think that's a mistake where [Dillashaw] kind of put his new coaches in a little bit of a disadvantage as they recruit more people in. Other than that, I agree with the decision any time a fighter does something they believe is what's best for them."
Despite the fracture, Stann believes Dillashaw will ultimately return to Sacramento to help prepare his former teammates.
"At the end of the day this isn't a team sport," said Stann. "He could always go back to Alpha Male and help any of those guys train for a fight. He can and he'll probably do that, so it doesn't mean he's severing his relationship. If that's what he believes is best for his career, that's what he needs to do."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
'He walked away from the family.' Urijah Faber opens up about T.J. Dillashaw's departure from Team Alpha Male.
Growing. Matt Brown and Clay Guida will join T.J. Dillashaw at Elevation Fight Team in Colorado.
'He ran when I didn't.' Conor McGregor talks about his own injuries heading into UFC 189. "He might be able to come back from it, but he will never be able to leave the fact that he ran when I didn't."
'I can't see myself in a f*cking Reebok kit.' UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub officially steps away from fighting.
Failed. Former champion Joe Warren tests positive for marijuana following his bout at Bellator 143 and has been suspended 90 days.
MEDIA STEW
Highlights from RFA 31.
Bobby Lashley wants to pro wrassle King Mo.
Firas Zahabi on how to program your mind for fitness.
Quick Q&A with UFC's Dave Sholler.
Some woman broke into Faber's house and locked herself inside/destroyed his bathroom.
Learn the value of shame in the latest Luke Thomas Is Pissed
Long watches.
Joe Rogan Experience #706 - Brendan Schaub & Fight Companion (part 2 here)
...
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TWEETS
OK.
I'm gonna show you how great I am
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 10, 2015
Beef.
@weddler1983 he's so unprofessional he can't even make 205, let alone a catch weight. I'll fight him any weight he wants though.
— michael (@bisping) October 8, 2015
I find it Hypocritical of @rondarousey to complain about people in Hollywood being critical of her body image,... http://t.co/oMlQn7Lo3V
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) October 9, 2015
(there we a lot more)
Conor Library called. You eventually hafta bring my playbook back. http://t.co/3rAE4pZvok pic.twitter.com/IpQR8Xo4op
— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) October 12, 2015
A guy who wears sunglasses indoors & dress shoes with no socks can't match wits w/the BAD GUY
— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) October 12, 2015
You look like you get your hair cut by smearing it w/peanut butter and falling asleep in a roomful of hungry dogs
— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) October 12, 2015
1 stage 2 mics. We do it for charity. He's gonna need more than cheep whiskey to out spit the Original.
— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) October 12, 2015
All the Sage.
Hearing @sagenorthcutt is going to MTL to train with @Firas_Zahabi at @tristargym - same for @tarecfighter #UFC #MMA
— Joe Ferraro (@ShowdownJoe) October 11, 2015
@kennyflorian Yes sir! You're the man Mr. Florian
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) October 11, 2015
Light Leg day today pic.twitter.com/G40Y956a31
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) October 12, 2015
More from Stann.
Disagree on this one @BrianStann. Belts come and go, TAM is something he could have relied on for life. Family>$$ https://t.co/Z8k3vexJ4p
— Josh Samman (@JoshSamman) October 11, 2015
Lol, you are going way to deep here over a guy training somewhere else. His friendships can/should withstand that https://t.co/xu77N85Ulv
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) October 11, 2015
TJ is married & doing what he feels is best for his family. Cant see Urijah being remotely mad, unless more at hand https://t.co/xu77N85Ulv
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) October 11, 2015
For the record @JoshSamman and I get a long great, simple conversation. Also have zero issues w/ TAM & Faber. Fighters change gyms a lot
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) October 11, 2015
Elevated.
#grind #grind #grind #nooxygen #8000feethigh #nothingcanstopme https://t.co/g9funnjRlc
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 12, 2015
Congrats.
Honeymoon On The Dance Floor. #Benalivi #BenaliviWedding PC @allelbows https://t.co/esL08w7rIv
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) October 11, 2015
What a wonderful weekend with wonderful people, @joejitsu @meganolivi you guys are beautiful. So... https://t.co/YBq6F6eiN8
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) October 11, 2015
Moving down.
Eddie "Truck" Gordon: Downshifting to Welterweight http://t.co/CjwWJ2rvy0
— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) October 12, 2015
Get well soon.
I'm very disappointed I was fighting my fight then I suffered a REALLY bad broken jaw. Headed to get wired shut. God bless
— Bristol Marunde (@BristolMarunde) October 10, 2015
Treininho no feriado. @ Curitiba, Brazil https://t.co/FjPRtIPLUK
— Shogun Rua (@ShogunRua) October 12, 2015
Found.
We've been reunited with Ringo. Thanks to everybody who helped get him home. Unbelievable support, I'm so grateful. pic.twitter.com/SCiP0a2074
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) October 11, 2015
On blast.
Damn shame.lady doing Coke at the Astros game https://t.co/P6j7snq0LY
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) October 11, 2015
So I guess I'll be on the random drug test soon
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) October 12, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 9-11 2015)
NA
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