UFC champ Dillashaw leaves Team Alpha Male

UFC 135-pound champion TJ Dillashaw is no longer with Team Alpha Male.

In a statement he released to Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com, the 29-year old fighter says he decided to train full time with striking coach Duane Ludwig and Elevation Fight Team in Colorado.

For Dillashaw, it is more about what he believes is the perfect opportunity to better himself as a fighter.

"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."

Ironically, Conor McGregor recently made mention of Dillashaw being a “snake in the grass” to Urijah Faber, adding that “The California Kid” should actually fight his now former teammate.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

New champ Cormier lauds 'nice guy' Johnson

Anthony "Rumble" Johnson showed his class when, just minutes after losing to Daniel Cormier in their UFC 187 showdown for the UFC light-heavyweight title, he took the initiative of putting the gold belt around his victorious opponent's waist.

Cormier won their main event fight by submitting Johnson in the third round. It was Johnson's first loss since January 2012, yet he showed no ill will towards the new champion.

Cormier could not help but express his admiration for Johnson in an appearance on The MMA Hour, telling Ariel Helwani that Johnson was "a nice guy."

"I think maybe, he showed exactly how nice he is by behaving in the way that he did," he said. "A lot of times, losing a fight is tough."

"In your darkest hours, I guess your true colors show. And Anthony Johnson is made of gold, if you ask me, for the way that he handled that," he added.

For Cormier, having his beaten opponent wrap the belt around his waist "made my experience different."

It is usually UFC president Dana White who puts the belt on the champion.

"By putting on the belt, he made my experience of being crowned a champion different than anyone else in the UFC's history," said Cormier. "Nobody has done that."

"So thank you, Anthony Johnson, for making my experience different. I appreciate it, and I appreciate you," he added.

After beating Johnson – and with former champion Jon Jones still suspended – Cormier is setting his sights on other contenders for the belt.

"All these guys are in play now. We'll see how long Jon's situation takes, even if he does come back. I win the fight against Jon, I win the rematch, I can still fight all these new guys," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com