https://youtu.be/xemiGXCz3eE
It looks like Cody Garbrandt literally could not wait for his upcoming UFC bantamweight title fight to get his hands on his former teammate TJ Dillashaw.
A preview has surfaced of Garbrandt putting his hand around Dillashaw’s neck. The incident took place during the taping of the The Ultimate Fighter 25 where the two are opposing head coaches for the reality series tournament competition.
Garbrandt and Dillashaw have a long history with one another as the two were once teammates at Team Alpha Male. Dillashaw was the UFC bantamweight champion at the time and Garbrandt was establishing himself in the division. Things took a turn when a fallout between coaches Urijah Faber and Duane Ludwig led Dillashaw to leave Team Alpha Male to go with Ludwig over to Colorado and fight with the Elevation Fight Team.
Garbrandt and Dillashaw were also once on the same team during a previous season of The Ultimate Fighter. On The Ultimate Fighter 22, which aired in 2015, Garbrandt and Dillashaw appeared on the show to help Urijah Faber with coaching as he went against opposing coach Conor McGregor. Interestingly, McGregor called out Dillashaw during the show and said that he would end up turning his back on Faber and Team Alpha Male, which actually ended up happening.
Dillashaw made his debut in the UFC as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller back in 2011 where he was the semi-finalist, losing to John Dodson in the season finale. Dillashaw then went on to win the UFC bantamweight title and defended the belt twice before losing to rival Dominick Cruz last year.
Does this photo get your more pumped up for the upcoming season of TUF? The Ultimate Fighter 25 premieres on Fox Sports 1 on April 19.
Cody Garbrandt will look to defend his title for the first time against former teammate and former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw. Who are you picking to win the grudge match? Sound off in the comment section!
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 3/6/2017.