The trash talk and build-up for the bantamweight title bout between Dominick Cruz and Cody Garbrandt at this weekend’s (Fri., December 30, 2017) UFC 207 may be the most heated and emotional lead-in to a 135-pound in MMA history. And if that was ever in question before today, and interview between Cruz and Garbrandt on
The trash talk and build-up for the bantamweight title bout between Dominick Cruz and Cody Garbrandt at this weekend’s (Fri., December 30, 2017) UFC 207 may be the most heated and emotional lead-in to a 135-pound in MMA history.
And if that was ever in question before today, and interview between Cruz and Garbrandt on Canada’s Fight Network proved it, as “The Dominator” appeared to get in “No Love’s” head to the point of the Team Alpha Male standout storming out of the interview to ‘throw things’ offscreen according to Cruz:
To get Garbrandt’s goat, Cruz referred to a run-in he had with “No Love’s” girlfriend on social media (quotes transcribed via MMA Fighting):
“She shouldn’t be hollering at me on social media,” Cruz said. “Keep her to yourself. As far as I’m concerned, I did you and her a favor. She obviously wears the pants in the relationship or else she wouldn’t be having to defend you.”
The talkset Garbrandt off to the point of being willing to fight, and he asked a UFC employee to help him remove his microphone so he could after the following exchange:
“I’ll come across there right now,” Garbrandt said. “You’re a room away.”
Cruz egged him on, saying, “C’mon, turd. Let’s go.”
That was when Garbrandt left the stage, where Cruz reported he could hear him throwing things around. It would seem “No Love” is even more emotional than usual thanks in no small part to Cruz’ intelligent trash talk.
We’ll see if that helps or holds him back in the co-main event of Friday’s anticipated card from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In a new Twitter video released this week ahead of Friday’s UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey pay-per-view, a familiar face, who himself will be competing on the pay-per-view main card this weekend, gave his official prediction on the evening’s co-main event.
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In a new Twitter video released this week ahead of Friday’s UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey pay-per-view, a familiar face, who himself will be competing on the pay-per-view main card this weekend, gave his official prediction on the evening’s co-main event.
Former Team Alpha Male fighter and former UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw, who trained in the past with the challenger and went five rounds with the champion, gave the nod to “The Dominator” in the battle of top 135-pound fighters scheduled for this Friday’s pay-per-view in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I think Cruz has just been too much of a veteran,” said Dillashaw in the video, which you can view below. “He’s been around this game too much and I think he’s going to out-class Cody with his movement.”
“He will out-smart him,” the former Team Alpha Male fighter added. “He’ll out-point him. I do not think he’s going to finish him but I do think he out-points him to a decision.”
Dillashaw concluded, “But you don’t know. Cody’s looking good, man. [He’s a] good up-and-comer. So, we’ll see. It’s going to be an interesting night!”
TJ Dillashaw fights knockout artist John Lineker in a battle of the number one and number two contenders in the UFC Bantamweight division on the PPV main card of this Friday’s UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey pay-per-view.
Join us here at MMANews.com on Friday for live round-by-round results coverage of UFC 207.
Former UFC bantamweight title-holder TJ Dillashaw has quite the battle ahead of him this weekend (Friday December 30, 2016) when he takes on knockout artist John Lineker at UFC 207, in hopes of returning to title contention with a potential win in the T-Mobile Arena. Dillashaw once reigned as the 135-pound king in the UFC
Former UFC bantamweight title-holder TJ Dillashaw has quite the battle ahead of him this weekend (Friday December 30, 2016) when he takes on knockout artist John Lineker at UFC 207, in hopes of returning to title contention with a potential win in the T-Mobile Arena.
Dillashaw once reigned as the 135-pound king in the UFC while Dominick Cruz nursed injuries for a lengthy period of time, but upon ‘The Dominator’s’ return Cruz took home a split decision win to reclaim his title in a razor close contest. Dillashaw has campaigned hard for a rematch with Cruz, however, he has instead been given bouts with Raphael Assuncao and now Lineker since dropping the title.
Cruz on the other hand has successfully defended his title against Dillashaw’s former teammate Urijah Faber and will co-main event UFC 207 in another title defense against yet another former training partner of Dillashaw, Cody Garbrandt.
In the midst of the crowded bantamweight title picture, Dillashaw has since aligned himself with the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA) in effort to fight for better working conditions for UFC fighters. During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Dillashaw admitted that his alliance with the MMAAA has struck fear in him that it might affect his stance with the promotion:
“It does scare me,” Dillashaw said. “It’s definitely in the back of my head.”
MMAAA frontman and former Bellator MMA President and CEO Bjorn Rebney and UFC President Dana White have not been too fond of one another during recent interviews, and Dillashaw hopes a rivalry between the UFC and MMAAA is beginning to form because of it:
“I hope this whole MMAAA isn’t a rivalry thing; I really hope it’s for the better of the fighters,” he said. “I think if they go and continue to screw over fighters from CAA, they’re going to continue to prove they’re not doing what’s right for the fighters.”
Since aligning with the association Dillashaw claims he has not yet faced any scrutiny from the UFC, other than being avoided for another shot at the 135-pound title, but will have to make a bigger ‘stink’ about things if he is overlooked once again with a potential win over Lineker this Friday:
“Other than getting avoided for title shots, I have no proof of being screwed over,” he said. “If it happens again, we’ll have to figure something out. I’ll have to make a bigger stink in the media that they are treating fighters wrongly. It’s just not professional. This is a sport. There shouldn’t be any grudges on who I’m managed by. It’s not my fault, to punish me just because you don’t like my management.”
For now Dillashaw remains focused on the task at hand, Lineker, and the opportunity to get back into the Octagon with Cruz for the bantamweight title; and he plans on doing just that by making a statement in Vegas with a finish over ‘Hands Of Stone’:
“I think I always want to make a statement, no matter who I’m fighting,” he said. “I want to go out there and entertain. I’m not going to go out of my comfort zone and possibly get too crazy and lose a fight. But no matter what happens, as long as I beat John Lineker, I’m making a statement. I will finish the guy.”
UFC 207 will go down live on pay-per-view (PPV) from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday night (December 30, 2016). The card will be headlined by the return of former women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey, who takes on Amanda Nunes for the 135-pound title.
UFC 207 is quickly approaching and I for one can’t wait. While the card has its fair share of standout matches, the co-main event is certainly one the fans should keep their eyes on as Cody Garbrandt bids for the bantamweight title again champ Dominick Cruz. The trash talk has been colorful even finding its way onto social media. Both men have been trading jabs, Cruz arguably getting the better of Garbrandt in the exchanges, and now they’ll trade their virtual punches for some legitimate action on Friday night.
UFC 207 is quickly approaching and I for one can’t wait. While the card has its fair share of standout matches, the co-main event is certainly one the fans should keep their eyes on as Cody Garbrandt bids for the bantamweight title again champ Dominick Cruz. The trash talk has been colorful even finding its way onto social media. Both men have been trading jabs, Cruz arguably getting the better of Garbrandt in the exchanges, and now they’ll trade their virtual punches for some legitimate action on Friday night.
Since coming back from injury earlier this year, Dominick Cruz has looked nothing short of phenomenal in his victories over TJ Dillashaw and Urijah Faber. In the Dillashaw match we saw Cruz dominate most of the match until facing a bit of adversity in the final two rounds. Still, his head movement, solid and unpredictable takedowns and striking led him to victory. The performance against Faber showed that Cruz not only has legit power in his strikes, but has improved his distancing game. The sequence in which he allowed Faber to close the distance in order to land a left overhand from the southpaw Stance shows that Cruz’s understanding of distance has sharpened. Against Garbrandt he faces a young Up and comer who has legitimate power in his hands. Cruz will likely employ his usual game plan of moving on the outside and making Garbrandt miss. More than likely we’ll be seeing more leg kicks out of the champ as well as some well timed takedowns as he is want to do against opponents who favor a boxing heavy attack.
For Cody Garbrandt the match up is far more complicated. Garbrandt’s striking is certainly clean, technical, and traditional. Which is exactly the problem. If he hopes to take out Cruz, Garbrandt will have to embrace a kicking game as well as avoid headhunting. Where fighters always seem to go wrong with facing Cruz is constantly aim to land a shot on his chin. Garbrandt should start at the legs and body then begin to work his way up to his head. He’s primarily a boxer which is ultimately going to hurt his chances if he looks to land leather rather than focus on his full arsenal of skills. Garbrandt also has a tendency to launch forward without throwing feints or strikes which could leave him open to strikes and takedowns. Garbrandt has a punchers chance, but if he utilizes his kicks and his wrestling he can at least surprise the champ and keep him guessing.
It’s almost as if in order to defeat Dominick Cruz you have to come into the fight as a completely different fighter each and every round. There are only a few fighters with that kind of capability and one of them happens to be Dominick Cruz. While many think this one goes to decision, a finish wouldn’t be surprising. The pick is Dominick Cruz by stoppage in the third round.
Do you think Cody Garbrandt has a chance?
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight title holder T.J. Dillashaw (13-3) will be going toe-to-toe with John Lineker at UFC 207 this Friday night (Dec. 30). The bout could serve as a potential title eliminator, although no promises have been made.
Regardless, the winner of this 135-pound tilt will be keeping a close eye on the pay-per-view’s (PPV) co-main event. In that slot will be a bantamweight title bout between champion Dominick Cruz and Cody Garbrandt. Dillashaw and Garbrandt were once training partners at Team Alpha Male.
Then things took an ugly turn.
Dillashaw grew fond of Duane Ludwig’s coaching. Tensions were high with Ludwig and Urijah Faber, leaving Dillashaw with an ultimatum. Dillashaw chose to go to Elevation Fight Team with Ludwig, which left a bad taste in the mouths of his former teammates.
Since the split, Garbrandt has shown “No Love” for Dillashaw. Back in August, Garbrandt said his former training partner “can get it too” and that the former champ was “talking sh*t.” Dillashaw recently spoke to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour and he was none too pleased with Garbrandt’s title opportunity.
“I don’t blame Cody for getting his title fight at all. Anyone in the UFC, that should be your goal, to get the UFC belt and to fight for that title. He should push for that as much as he wants. I blame Dominick Cruz and I blame the UFC for letting this happen. It’s kinda, I feel, making a mockery of the sport by letting a No. 8 ranked fighter for the title. Why’d he jump seven guys to be able to fight for the belt? It just doesn’t make sense at all.”
While Dillashaw doesn’t understand why “No Love” got a title shot before he did, his anger isn’t aimed at Garbrandt. The former champion believes Cruz is trying to avoid a title rematch with him. “The Dominator” defeated Dillashaw by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz back in January to reclaim gold.
“I believe that Cruz is going to try to do whatever he can to not fight me until he retires. Him trying to talk about how he wants these superfights and big-money fights. It’s like, I don’t even think you’re the best in the world and you’re trying to dodge me as long as you possibly can, because you know that I’m going to beat you. I fought him with emotion the first time and still beat him, and he knows that, and his coaches know that, and my coaches know that, and I know that. So, he’s going to do whatever he can to not fight me again.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf-dD57iwjA
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight title holder T.J. Dillashaw (13-3) will be going toe-to-toe with John Lineker at UFC 207 this Friday night (Dec. 30). The bout could serve as a potential title eliminator, although no promises have been made.
Regardless, the winner of this 135-pound tilt will be keeping a close eye on the pay-per-view’s (PPV) co-main event. In that slot will be a bantamweight title bout between champion Dominick Cruz and Cody Garbrandt. Dillashaw and Garbrandt were once training partners at Team Alpha Male.
Then things took an ugly turn.
Dillashaw grew fond of Duane Ludwig’s coaching. Tensions were high with Ludwig and Urijah Faber, leaving Dillashaw with an ultimatum. Dillashaw chose to go to Elevation Fight Team with Ludwig, which left a bad taste in the mouths of his former teammates.
Since the split, Garbrandt has shown “No Love” for Dillashaw. Back in August, Garbrandt said his former training partner “can get it too” and that the former champ was “talking sh*t.” Dillashaw recently spoke to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour and he was none too pleased with Garbrandt’s title opportunity.
“I don’t blame Cody for getting his title fight at all. Anyone in the UFC, that should be your goal, to get the UFC belt and to fight for that title. He should push for that as much as he wants. I blame Dominick Cruz and I blame the UFC for letting this happen. It’s kinda, I feel, making a mockery of the sport by letting a No. 8 ranked fighter for the title. Why’d he jump seven guys to be able to fight for the belt? It just doesn’t make sense at all.”
While Dillashaw doesn’t understand why “No Love” got a title shot before he did, his anger isn’t aimed at Garbrandt. The former champion believes Cruz is trying to avoid a title rematch with him. “The Dominator” defeated Dillashaw by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz back in January to reclaim gold.
“I believe that Cruz is going to try to do whatever he can to not fight me until he retires. Him trying to talk about how he wants these superfights and big-money fights. It’s like, I don’t even think you’re the best in the world and you’re trying to dodge me as long as you possibly can, because you know that I’m going to beat you. I fought him with emotion the first time and still beat him, and he knows that, and his coaches know that, and my coaches know that, and I know that. So, he’s going to do whatever he can to not fight me again.”
UFC 207 is a few days away and the second episode of UFC 207 Embedded was released on the UFC’s YouTube channel. In the episode, bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz enjoys a sushi feast before doing some last-minute shopping. Opponent Cody Garbrandt spends his holiday at a meal hosted by mentor Urijah Faber. Already in Las
UFC 207 is a few days away and the second episode of UFC 207 Embedded was released on the UFC’s YouTube channel.
In the episode, bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz enjoys a sushi feast before doing some last-minute shopping. Opponent Cody Garbrandt spends his holiday at a meal hosted by mentor Urijah Faber. Already in Las Vegas, women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes celebrates with laughter and laundry. And former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey arrives at the hotel to begin her first fight week in over a year.
For now Dillashaw remains focused on the task at hand, Lineker, and the opportunity to get back into the Octagon with Cruz for the bantamweight title; and he plans on doing just that by making a statement in Vegas with a finish over ‘Hands Of Stone’:
