Urijah Faber

By FCF Staff

Since TJ Dillashaw announced he was leaving Team Alpha Male, Urijah Faber has been critical of the bantamweight champ, and now the latter has argued it’s all a means to lock up a title shot.

Last fall, Dillashaw confirmed that he was leaving the Faber lead TAM to go train with the Elevation Fight Team in Colorado. Faber publicly relayed that he didn’t care for how Dillashaw handled the departure, and announced the latter wouldn’t be allowed to train at the gym moving forward. Faber also accused Dillashaw of training too hard and injuring sparring partners.

Since then, Dillashaw has continued to field questions about Faber, even though he’s booked to fight Dominick Cruz this Sunday at UFC Fight Night 81. During a recent medial call to promote the bout, Dillashaw had this to say about Faber (quote via MMA Fighting.com):

“With me and Faber, that surprised me the way he’s been acting as well,” Dillashaw said. “Because I’m cool with all the guys and really that’s just a way for him to push for a title fight. For him to make some money. I’ve done nothing but show respect. I don’t go out there and talk crap about Urijah and there’s plenty to talk about. I’m just gonna continue to be a humble guy and appreciate what he did for me in this sport.”

Faber is coming off a decision win over Frankie Saenz in December, and is currently ranked #3. Many believe the UFC will book Dillashaw – Faber for later this year.