TJ Dillashaw has left Team Alpha Male to join Team Elevation in Denver

Brazilian media outlet Combate his reported earlier today that UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has left Team Alpha Male to join a new team based in Denver, Colorado; which is where trainer Duane Ludwig is based.

The fighter was discovered while in college by TUF 22 coach and founder of Team Alpha Male Urijah Faber.

Update: MMAFighting have confirmed the report that Dillashaw has left Alpha Male and published the following exclusive statements from both Dillashaw and Faber

“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 Team Elevation 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.”

Alpha Male founder Urijah Faber said: “We are sad to see [Dillashaw] go, but we’re excited about the next set of champion being developed at Team Alpha Male.”

Dillashaw’s split from Team Alpha Male has come amidst much bad blood between Faber and Ludwig. The loss of Dillashaw will be a big blow for the Sacramento-based group. However with fighters including Chad Mendes, Paige VanZant and Joe Benavides on their roster, Team Alpha Male is still in a strong position.

Dillashaw will remain under Ludwig’s tutelage in Denver. The fighter turned coach enjoyed solid results after his exit from Faber and clearly he intended to further the momentum with the championship brawler. The interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor has publicly teased his TUF rival that a fight with Dillashaw is the only fight left for Faber’s career. Perhaps we’ll see this bout come to fruition after all.

Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com