Dillashaw & Cruz Bash Each Other Ahead Of Title Fight
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will finally get the chance to regain his title, a title he never technically lost, when he meets current boss TJ Dillashaw in the main event of UFC Fight Night 81 on January 17, 2016 in Boston.
“The Dominator” was stripped of his title in 2014 due to multiple injuries, and he’s only competed once over the last four years, but many still consider him to be the very best 135-pounder in the world.
The two have seemed to stir up a bit of a rivalry with each other, but things got slightly heated when the champions appeared on an edition of 98.5 The Sports Hub recently.
As far as the rivalry goes, Cruz accused Dillashaw of copying his style in order to win the belt, but the former champ admitted that it’s actually Dillashaw’s coach, Duane Ludwig, who does most of the talking:
“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.”
“Killashaw” did say that he used to admire Cruz’s skills, but he now sees the holes in his opponent’s game:
“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.”
Cruz then took a shot at Dillashaw for one of the champion’s most recent, and controversial moves: leaving his long-time of home at Team Alpha Male to train in Colorado with Ludwig and Elevation Fight Team:
“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.”
The former champion wasn’t done yet, however, next bashing Dillashaw’s recent opponents, and also making it clear that he has beaten the champion’s now ex-teammate Urijah Faber:
“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.”
Dillashaw made it clear that Faber wasn’t his coach, but rather a buddy. Cruz ended up with the last laugh, however, making it seem as if Dillashaw lets people walk all over him:
“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.”
Who will get the last laugh on January 17th?
