TJ Dillashaw heads to new team in Colorado

TJ Dillashaw's next training camp will be with a new team in Colorado.

Following a Globo report, which stated that Dillashaw had parted ways with Team Alpha Male, Dillashaw provided the following exclusive statement to MMAFighting.com:

"In regards to my upcoming fight camp, I will be doing my training in Colorado. The last six years at Team Alpha Male have been irreplaceable and my brothers there will forever be family to me. I thank each and every one of them for helping me along the way and being a part of this journey we've shared. This is not the end of being a part of the Team Alpha Male family, but a new chapter in my career.

"I will be spending my next full training camp with Elevation Fight Team as they've offered me an opportunity that I couldn't pass up, with an incredible coaching staff and state-of-the-art facilities.

"I want to thank everyone for the continued support as this has not been a decision I've taken lightly."

Dillashaw's striking coach Duane Ludwig isn't a part of the team, however, Dillashaw will still be training with him since he also lives in Colorado.

When contacted by MMAFighting.com, Urijah Faber, the founder of Team Alpha Male, said, "We are sad to see [Dillashaw] go, but we're excited about the next set of champions being developed at Team Alpha Male."

In addition to Ludwig,  Dillashaw's new coaches will be Leister Bowling (head coach), Elliot Marshall (jiu-jitsu), Christian Allen (striking) and Loren Landow (strength & conditioning). The team, which already includes the likes of Matt Brown, Clay Guida, Neil Magny, Brandon Thatch, Cat Zingano, Drew Dober and others, is based out of the MusclePharm Sports Science Center & Research Institute in Denver. It's exclusive to professional fighters.

"Obviously, we are excited to have TJ join the team full-time," Bowling told MMAFighting.com. "It was an honor to have him here in the past, and it's going to be exciting to work with him full-time. Obviously, he's at the top of his game, so we have to work to keep him there."

As for the circumstances surrounding Dillashaw's decision, Bowling said it had nothing to do with recent issues that have been brought to light by both Faber and Ludwig.

"Honestly, he told me last time he was here elk hunting that he was planning on doing 60 percent of his next camp with us and 30-40 with Alpha Male. I told him I thought it was a bad idea. I truly thought he needed to stop worrying about Duane and Urijah's feelings, be selfish for once and not try to please two people who he was very loyal to. I'm thankful he chose our team and thankful he put his faith into us and our coaches."