Morning Report: Dominick Cruz blames beef with T.J. Dillashaw on 'sad pimp' Duane Ludwig

UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw finally has someone who wants to chat.

Promoting their Jan. 17 title bout in Boston, Massachusetts, Dillashaw and former champ Dominick Cruz didn't waste much time getting personal.

Asked by the hosts at 98.5 The Sports Hub to explain the crux of their beef, Cruz said he credits Dillashaw's new head trainer Duane Ludwig.

"He was emulating me for all his teammates," Cruz said of Dillashaw. "Then decided, 'Wow, I'm beating up all my teammates here at "Team Male" with Dominick's style so maybe I should use this to go win a title while he's hurt. Really, the one who's been talking is Duane Ludwig for T.J. Ludwig has a lot to say. I think Ludwig's living his life through T.J. and it's sad."

Dillashaw admitted his role as the scout team version of Cruz during his past at Team Alpha Male, but says he's now leaps and bounds above the former champ.

"I used to think Dominick Cruz was really good," said Dillashaw. "Now I know what I'm doing and I know the holes in his game. He used to be good."

"Who showed you that?" asked Cruz. "Ludwig? The guy who broke his ankle and quit fighting with a half and half record in MMA? Come on, man. You left the guys you were supposed to be loyal to go with Ludwig in Colorado. You were supposed to be their brothers. You're lost. He just left his so-called brothers. The guys who brought him into the sport."

Cruz quickly moved on to attacking Dillashaw's resume.

"All my fights were for titles," said Cruz. "Top five guys. He's fought one guy in the top five. How hard is it to finish guys in the top five compared to the top 15? He's gotten finishes against guys in the top 15. That's nothing. You haven't fought anybody good. I beat up your coach."

"My coach?" Dillashaw said of Urijah Faber. "You beat up my coach that I've been beating up for the last four years? He's not even my coach. He's my teammate. He's my buddy."

"So you've been beating up your coach," Cruz continued. "He's been pimping you out wearing "Torque" for how long? That's exactly what Ludwig's doing. Now you're wearing "Bang." People are just pimping you out and you just let it happen. It's pretty sad."

Dillashaw defends his title to Cruz Jan. 17 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Check out the full exchange below.

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TWEETS

Soon.

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Nope.

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One of the coolest things I have ever done, I had this on my bucket list for a long time. Amazing to be this close to these amazing animals. Big thank you to @calypsostarcharters.videos @calypsostarcharters @port_lincoln #greatwhiteshark #sharkcagedive

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Get well soon.

Knees and ankle are feeling better every day. Was able to light jog on the treadmill today and will start strength training next week

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Undefeated.

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