Once teammates and friends, Urijah Faber and T.J. Dillashaw could soon become rivals in the Octagon. Dillashaw parted ways with Faber’s Team Alpha Male (TAM) earlier this month, and things have escalated since then.
T.J., who now trains full-time at Elevation Fight Team with Duane Ludwig, claims that TAM have banned him from visiting the gym. Faber says he’s playing the victim.
In what could potentially have the makings of another Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans rivalry, Alpha Male BJJ coach Fabio Prado thinks the UFC have an amazing opportunity to promote a grudge match between the former teammates.
“I don’t see the UFC losing that amazing opportunity to use all this hype to promote such a great clash of champions,” Prado said to Sherdog yesterday. “Faber didn’t want that fight in the past, but now he feels comfortable facing him.”
“Pateta” understands Dillashaw’s reasons for leaving and thinks that the California-based team will produce more great champions like T.J. in the future.
“Dillashaw left because a new team in Colorado offered him a good salary to train there and be part of the team,” Prado said. “I understand his point and I can’t criticize that, but what I can say is that we have at least 10 talents like him at Team Alpha Male. There are not only fighters here, but great trainers. I’m sure we’ll produce another champion soon.”
Dillashaw is currently scheduled to defend his bantamweight title against former champion Dominick Cruz at UFC Fight Night 81 on January 17th in Boston, Massachusetts, while Urijah Faber recently moved back up the featherweight division and lost against Frankie Edgar in unanimous decision.
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