Morning Report: Dominick Cruz takes aim again at 'meathead jock' T.J. Dillashaw

It's no world tour, but the promotion leading up to T.J. Dillashaw's Jan. 17 UFC bantamweight title defense to Dominick Cruz has some similar undertones.

If Conor McGregor laid out the blueprint on how to sell the lower weight classes Cruz has been taking notes.

Cruz fired the first major shot when the pair visited Boston, the site of the bout, back in November when he dressed Dillashaw down, called his coach Duane Ludwig a "sad pimp," and still couldn't get the champ to play ball.

Cruz went after Dillashaw again during a moderated sitdown with UFC commentator Jon Anik (watch here) and again seemed to fluster the champ as he tried to pull him into an exchange.

Dillashaw says Cruz is just a WWE poser living in "the McGregor era," but the challenger doesn't see it that way.

"Talking is just talking," Cruz said on UFC Tonight. "The fight is what really matters, but I'm just having fun keeping it real. I wasn't talking trash. I was talking the truth. People are saying I'm talking trash. I wasn't making anything up. I wasn't saying anything foul to the guy. I was just telling him the way it is."

Despite being relegated to an odd Sunday event set to air on FOX Sports 1 [thanks, NFL], Dillashaw stuck to his guns.

"I just know he's not that bright," Cruz said of Dillashaw. "He's just not the smartest. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed. He's kind of a meathead jock is what I learned from that exchange. He just wanted nothing to do with talking. Man, I don't necessarily want to be here talking to your ugly face either, but I'm here so you might as well talk to me.

"But he wouldn't do it. I don't know what's wrong with the guy. We're here. He's like, 'I'm here to fight. I'm not here to talk.' Man, we're here to talk. That's why we're in front of this camera. Why else are we here? If we were here to fight we'd be in the cage already. What's wrong with you? It blew my mind."

Dillashaw defends his UFC bantamweight title to Cruz Jan. 17 from the TD Garden in Boston, Mass.

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Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses UFC 195 results, the 10-point must system, Cruz vs. Dillashaw and more in this week's live chat.

Here to stay? Dave Meltzer debates whether or not RIZIN has the chops to revive MMA in Japan.

Busy 2016. Khabib Nurmagomedov wants to fight the winner of Anthony Pettis vs. Eddie Alvarez, but also has unfinished business with Nate Diaz.

‘It has affected me.' Bibiano Fernandes not happy with new ONE Championship weigh-in program.

MEDIA STEW

New episode of Dana White's 'Lookin' for a fight.'

Dana White talks Conor McGregor fighting at 145 and 155 pounds, Holly Holm fighting before the Rousey rematch and more.

Chael Sonnen breaks down Dillashaw vs Cruz, Alvarez vs Pettis and Browne vs Mitrione.

Makwan Amirkhani lands in Ireland.

Tim Means talks fighting Donald Cerrone, not being a fan of the Jackson-Wink camp, prison and more.

These things happen in MMA.

Long watches.

If I Did It: Holly Holm gets paid, UFC judging, VanillaISIS

...

UFC 195: Breathlessly reviewing Robbie Lawler vs Carlos Condit Heavy Hands

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Keepin' busy.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Jan. 6 2016)

Derek Anderson vs. Ryan Couture at Bellator 148

David Rickels vs. Bobby Cooper at Bellator 150

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.