TJ Dillashaw (Photo : Photo: Twitter)
Harsh words have been said, numerous speculations have been made, and TJ Dillashaw, ultimately, packed his bags from the sunny weather of California to the frigid, thin air of Colorado.
"In regards to my upcoming fight camp, I will be doing my training in Colorado," Dillashaw spoke to MMAFighting. "The last six years at Team Alpha Male have been irreplaceable and my brothers there will forever be family to me."
He continued: "I thank each and every one of them for helping me along the way and being 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 life."
But Dillashaw won't be hitting the pads and rolling on the mats of Duane Ludwig's newly established gym; the UFC Bantamweight Champion is set to train at Denver's Elevation Fight Team, led by Leister Bowling.
The MusclePharm-sponsored training facility was formerly known as a loose-knit team where the likes of Cat Zingano, Brandon Thatch, and Neil Magny have set up shop.
Recently, however, Team Elevation came up with a more organized structure to utilize a 40,000-square-foot, world-class MMA gym.
Not long ago, UFC veterans Matt Brown and Clay Guida joined the team, and it seems like other fighters plan to switch camps full-time - including some Team Alpha Male members.
Though he will be nearer to his main mentor, Duane Ludwig, Dillashaw will train full-time with Elevation.
"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," Bowling said about Dillashaw. "I told him it was a bad idea."
Bowling followed: "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."
TJ Dillashaw will defend his bantamweight title against former champ, Dominick Cruz, at UFC Fight Night 81 on January 17 at the TD Garden in Boston.
