Mendes (right) guarantees that he will remain friends with TJ (left). Photo: Reproduction
The output of TJ Dillashaw from Team Alpha Male caused some surprise in the world of MMA. The leader of the Californian academy, Urijah faber, was unhappy with the UFC bantamweight champion's decision and even left open a fight with his former colleague. However, another important member of the team downplayed the matter and said that everything will be fine in the future.
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Former challenger for the featherweight belt, Chad Mendes admitted that Dillashaw's announcement affected him, but that he understands and respects the decision. “Everyone [at the gym] is fine. The gym is pretty busy at the moment with a lot of guys getting ready to fight, so we're focusing on that. Of course it's a difficult situation, it sucks. And it affected everyone a little. But we have to realize that everyone has a task at hand and we have to focus on these fights”, said Mendes, in an interview with the website of the English magazine “Fighters Only”.
The American also stated that the team's personal relationship with Dillashaw will remain unchanged. “We will all still be friends with TJ. He has made his decision to leave and believes that is what he needs to stay at the top. He's a grown man, so he can make his own decisions. But we’re going to miss him,” he said.
Mendes returns to the octagon in December, when he faces Frankie Edgar; Dillashaw fights the following month, against Dominick Cruz, in his third UFC belt defense.
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