Lance Palmer (photo via WSOF.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Lance Palmer has spent time training with Jackson – Wink MMA and Team Elevation in recent weeks, but that doesn’t mean he’s not still a committed member of Team Alpha Male.

The Sacramento gym has repeatedly been in the headlines over the last year or so, due to the departures of Duane Ludwig and TJ Dillashaw, who have developed rifts with TAM founder Urijah Faber. As a result of all the drama, anytime a TAM fighter is spotted training elsewhere, speculation begins as to whether they too have left the renowned team.

Well recently Palmer appeared on Full Contact Fighter Radio, in advance of his July 30th, WSOF 32 rematch with Alexandre Almeida. While discussing his preparation for the upcoming bout, and all the headlines tied to TAM, the former featherweight champ said this:

“I’m training at Team Alpha Male,” said Palmer, when asked about his training camp. “We’ve always been a team of guys that goes and trains and learns from the best coaches, and gets different looks from different teams. I went and trained at Team Elevation in Denver. I think I went two times…Then we went and trained over at Jackson’s and those guys are awesome. They always welcome us with open arms and we have a great relationship with a lot of the guys…”

“I think the tension is only between Duane Ludwig and Team Alpha Male honestly, and some of the guys now have tension with Dillashaw, ” added Palmer, who lost a tightly contested decision to Almeida in December. “Honestly for me, I’m always going to be friends with TJ. I don’t let that stuff get in the way with me.”

Recently TAM’s new head coach, Justin Buccholz, reported that longtime member Joseph Benavidez hasn’t been training with the squad. None of that, however  will affect Palmer’s relationship with the flyweight contender.

“Even (Joseph) Benavidez not really being on our team anymore, just training at other places, I don’t even know if he’s officially left the team or still with us or whatever. He’s a guy that I lived with for two years and he kind of took me under his wing during a tough time…Joe’s a guy who I’ll never have an ill will towards no matter where he trains. I think some of that stuff is kind of petty, and I don’t really worry about it.”

WSOF 32 will be hosted by the Xfinity Arena in Everett, Washington on July 30th. The main card will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network.