Earlier this week, Team Alpha Male coach Justin Buchholz announced that he had been ousted as head coach of the Sacramento based MMA gym, and would instead be moved into a role as the lead Muay Thai coach. The announcement was surprising as Buchholz stewarded one of the most successful runs in the gym’s history over the past two years, highlighted by Cody Garbrandt claiming the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 207.

But apparently, Buchholz’s claims may not be true.

Speaking with the Slip ‘n Dip podcast recently, Urijah Faber discussed what happened with Buchholz, saying that it was Buchholz who approached him about moving into a more Muay Thai role and that he would still be happy with Buchholz as the lead coach of the gym.

“Honestly it hasn’t been much of a change. I think that’s more of a personal viewpoint of Buchholz. What we have been able to do is hire more coaches and thank goodness for Mountain Lion Aviation. It’s been awesome having them support us and we brought more guys on, Chris Holdsworth, Danny Castillo, coach Joey Rodriguez, myself, and the existing coaches Fabio Prado and Justin Buchholz.

“I think Justin is maybe having a little trouble with having more guys in on practice, etc. It was kinda his idea for him to step into more of a kickboxing role. I’d love for him to be as a head coach. There’s a lot of guys that he will be a lead coach for and there’s a lot of guys that won’t have him as a lead coach. So it’s not necessarily like a shaking up, everything is pretty much the same.”

Buchholz previously said that the shakeup occurred while he was in Alaska for his first professional fight in two years. Buchholz said that when he came back, the system he implemented at the gym had been changed, he had been relegated to one of five head coaches, and that he no longer ran the MMA practices at the gym. But Faber suggests that the increase in coaching staffing is merely a byproduct of the success and growth of the gym and that head coach is still a position for Buchholz if that’s what he wants.

“He did take off to Alaska and was kinda on his time period for that. He took off and actually took a fight and came back and things were actually going smoothly. It’s business as usual for us though. We have like 5-6 coaches in each practice. We have, I don’t know how many guys we have fighting in the UFC now, but from Sage Northcutt, Cynthia Calvillo, we just got a bunch of new guys coming in from all over the globe. It’s a time when we need a lot of hands on deck.”

“He can call himself whatever he wants. Head coach is still a position for him but he’s thinking more of a kickboxing role for himself.”

This distraction is coming at an inopportune time for Faber as this weekend, Garbrandt will be defending his belt against the man who brought Team Alpha Male their first UFC belt, T.J. Dillashaw. Dillashaw is coached by Duane Ludwig, another former head coach of Team Alpha Male who had a falling out with Faber. Perhaps in light of all this, Faber says that he and Buchholz will sit down and hash it all out after this weekend is over.

“Yeah it’s a little weird. I’ll talk to him after this fight week and see what’s going with his head, but it is what it is. We’re firing on all cylinders and it’s been amazing time for Cody and the whole team.”

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Reebok. Jorge Masvidal calls the UFC uniform policy “f**king madness.”

VIDEO STEW

Embedded 3.

Bobby Knux is incredibly chill.

Bisping on Cowherd.

Greg Hardy on his debut.

Tim Elliott interview.

LISTEN UP

The MMA Circus. Looking back at UFC Sao Paulo plus Gets It, Doesnt Get It.

Heavy Hands. Previewing the three title fights at UFC 217.

Bushido Talk. Breaking down all key items from UFC 217.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Lyoto makes a statement that’s all class.

Conor got on Desus & Mero.

Shockingly, socially conscious UFC fighter Conor McGregor uses homophobic language...and he wasn't even fighting. pic.twitter.com/pwPjGzJHBs — DESUS & MERO (@desusandmero) November 2, 2017

First person.

Here’s a preview of what to expect on November 4th at #UFC217. Thanks to @BudLightCA for making it happen. #sponsor pic.twitter.com/rEiTeJUaCX — Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) November 1, 2017

Brunson

Weidman & Rockhold have 24 hours to answer my fight request or I might make a trip to New York & California to see if I can find them! ⌛️ — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 2, 2017

noooo. Please pick Luke. Not me ! — Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) November 2, 2017

You’re a bad boy @ChrisWeidmanUFC. Let’s get down for the fans! — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 2, 2017

Ok cool. I’ll jump you in the rankings and move on to my next project @LukeRockhold . @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite https://t.co/C38hhoV6BK — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 2, 2017

Sounds like we could be in for the Buffer 360.

Saunders expands on his beef with Covington.

Bones is back.

The God I serve specializes in the impossible — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) November 1, 2017

Is he. . . is he dead?

#themoreyouknow

Retired & returning to the Octagon? Enroll in the @ufc #antidoping program at least 6 months before your 1st bout. https://t.co/3jrO53Zbzu pic.twitter.com/JdLV7ULVTS — USADA (@usantidoping) November 1, 2017

Harsh.

Well well I got two free tix to UFC 217 at msg and I have to admit I first thought of @NewYorkRic but decided to go with my girl #karma haha — Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) November 1, 2017

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

N/A.

TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

2001: At UFC 34, Randy Couture stopped Pedro Rizzo to retain his UFC heavyweight title. In the co-main event, Matt Hughes claimed the welterweight title with a controversial slam KO of champion Carlos Newton. This event also saw B.J. Penn knock out Caol Uno in 11 seconds to earn a shot at the UFC lightweight title and was the debut event for future heavyweight champion Frank Mir.

2013: Eddie Alvarez won a split decision over Michael Chandler to reclaim the Bellator lightweight title at Bellator 106. It was Alvarez’ last fight for the promotion.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This entire TAM situation is really odd. With Buchholz as the established head coach, they did really well so I’m not sure why they’d start messing with the formula. I imagine more will come out in the near future.

82% of you think Joanna Champion retains her belt, and I can’t say I’m surprised. I think today’s poll will probably be a lot closer though.

That’s all for today folks, see y’all tomorrow.

EXIT POLL

Poll Who wins? This poll is closed. 61% Cody Garbrandt (1241 votes)

37% T.J. Dillashaw (760 votes)

1% Draw/No Contest (31 votes) 2032 votes total Vote Now

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