Bang: Dillashaw only TAM fighter that actually wants to be champ
Bang: “He actually wants it. T.J. is the only one that actually wants to be a champion. T.J. trains a lot harder and a lot more focused than anybody else on that team.”
Top MMA trainer Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig appeared recently on SiriusXM’s Fight Club, and discussed Team Alpha Male. Ludwig had been the head trainer at the Sacramento, Calif. gym, but parted ways under murky circumstances, and opened up his own facility in Colorado. Some TAM fighters, most notably UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, continued to train with Bang.
He actually wants it. T.J. is the only one that actually wants to be a champion, said Ludwig as transcribed by Tristen Critchfield for Sherdog. T.J. trains a lot harder and a lot more focused than anybody else on that team — period.
There’s just certain people that want it more than others. He has a stronger drive, a stronger determination. He actually believes that he can be champion and he’s the one that puts in the extra work, asks the questions, trains a bit harder, takes less breaks. Danny Castillo works really hard as well; Danny overtrains himself. T.J. is just very smart on how he trains as well.
It was just a difference, if you see the whole Alpha Male team train, T.J. sticks out.
The latest TAM fighter to vie for a title is Chad Mendes, and although he had just two weeks to prepare, Ludwig thought with a different gym ethic, might have beaten Conor McGregor for the Interim title.
It was obviously a short-notice fight, and he’s not always training,” said Ludwig. “He’s not one of those guys that’s always in the gym training hard. He wasn’t in the best shape for the fight anyway. I think if Chad was in shape it could have been a different outcome. It definitely would have been a different fight.
I’ll tell you what: No one needs me, but everyone that works with me is going to do better with me than without me, that’s for sure. I feel with the proper camp, Chad could be wearing the belt right now. I felt that too when he fought Aldo the second time. Prior to the Aldo fight we didn’t work together. I went back to Colorado. The plan was he was supposed to come to Colorado and do some work. It just didn’t work out. There’s little things that Chad could be doing, and he could be wearing the belt right now.
A number of Team Alpha Male fighters took exception to the remarks.
Andre Fili @TouchyFili
Who don’t got no champions? @TeamAlphaMale
Lance Palmer @LancePalmer
I’ve been a champion my entire life. Don’t disrespect me with that nonsense.
Cody Garbrandt @Cody_Nolove
Is that so @DUANEBANGCOM ??
LudwigMartialArtscom @DUANEBANGCOM
Pls prove me wrong ?? @Cody_Nolove @sherdogdotcom @TeamAlphaMale @TJDillashaw
Cody Garbrandt @Cody_Nolove
Ur opinion doesnt matter. I’ll b givin u no thought or attention after this. Ur like the jealous delusional ex- girl friend
LudwigMartialArtscom @DUANEBANGCOM
I’m ok with What ever it takes to find ur full potential @Cody_Nolove good luck with ur career
TJ Dillashaw will fight Renan Barao on Saturday in the main event of UFC on FOX 16. Bang will be in his corner.