Earlier this week, on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz made some comments about Duane Ludwig, the head coach of current champ TJ Dillashaw. In what seemed like an attempt at an insult, Cruz claimed that Ludwig is trying to live vicariously through his star pupil.

Apparently, Cruz is right.

Speaking on the latest episode of BJPENN.COM Radio, Ludwig assured that he is most definitely living vicariously through Dillashaw.

“Fuck yeah I [live through Dillashaw],” Ludwig said in response to Cruz’s comment.

While Duane Ludwig admits Cruz was on-the-money with this comment, he does have some choice words for Cruz in response.

“He’s just a negative crybaby,” Ludwig said. “A negative fucking crybaby. He’s just salty and sad that he doesn’t have a knowledgeable coach that has his back til death. Like, I love TJ, he’s family. I’ll do whatever the fuck I need to do to take care of that guy, right? Sorry that you don’t have a knowledgeable, passionate coach.”

“Don’t hate like everybody else does, motherfucker,” Ludwig continued. “We have something special. And I’m sorry you didn’t find your guy, and you know, what the fuck can I say? This is meant to be. Learn from it, don’t hate on it. Fuck yeah I’m living through TJ. That’s exactly what the fuck I’m doing.”

TJ Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz have fought once previously, in January of 2016. On that night, Cruz walked away with a razor-close split decision win and the bantamweight belt. While Marlon Moraes and Raphael Assuncao are also possibilities, Cruz could well be the next man in line for a bantamweight title shot — if he can convince Dillashaw he deserves the opportunity.

What do you think Duane Ludwig’s comments on Dominick Cruz?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 8/10/2018.