Dillashaw criticizes McGregor and says the Irishman 'barely appeared' in TUF 22

TJ (photo) hopes to face D. Cruz in his next fight. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

With his controversial and irreverent style, Conor McGregor has collected enemies in the UFC. The most recent name added to the extensive list was that of the bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, whom the Irishman accused of “treason” against his Team Alpha Male teammate Urijah faber. Dillashaw's response came in kind, with harsh criticism of the stance and the infrequency with which McGregor appeared at TUF 22 recordings.

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“You can't talk much about him on TUF, he barely appeared there. He didn't show his face, he only showed up at weigh-ins and fights. It felt like he wasn't there for his team at all. I learned that he is intelligent when we talk about marketing, that he is good at it, as he says himself 'he has the numbers”, said TJ, in a chat with the press in Las Vegas (USA).

Additionally, Dillashaw said he would love to face Conor in the future, but that he intends to face the former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz right away. “I don't believe there's a single fighter that McGregor doesn't have a rivalry with these days. And it's fun, he's a smart guy who knows how to promote himself and he tried to attack me saying I'm a 'traitor'. But in the end we just laugh about it. (…) I would love to fight McGregor, move up a category and face him, it's definitely something I would do. But I'm hoping to face Dominick Cruz right away. I'm waiting for him to get healthy and that's the fight I want. Obviously this fight hasn't been announced yet, but he's the guy who's going to make my name even bigger. It’s the fight that makes sense”, he assured.

At 29, TJ Dillashaw has a professional record of 12 wins and two losses. Bantamweight champion since May last year, TJ has already defended his belt in the 61,2 kg category twice and is coming off a victory over Renan Barao in a title rematch in July this year.