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Tag: dominick cruz

  • Dominick Cruz: The Style I Brought To The Octagon Is “The Norm” Now

    Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz believes that in order to reach the top again, he’ll have to battle his own style, which he believes has become the norm in the division since he brought it to the Octagon over a decade ago.

    Cruz is widely regarded as one of the greatest 135lbers of all time. Across a near-17-year career as a professional, “The Dominator” has achieved championship glory in both the WEC and the UFC, beaten the likes of Joseph Benavidez, Urijah Faber, Demetrious Johnson, and TJ Dillashaw, and experienced an eight-year unbeaten run that included 13 straight victories.

    Despite going through a number of serious injuries and falling to Henry Cejudo last May after returning for the first time in nearly four years, Cruz’s desire to compete and be the best hasn’t faded away.

    After re-entering the win column earlier this year with a decision success against Casey Kenney, the 36-year-old will look to climb further back towards the top when he faces fellow veteran Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269 this weekend.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXRDjZLFVlK/

    Cruz Believes It’s Easier For Opponents To Prepare For His Style Now

    During his prime, Cruz was untouchable. Up until a defeat to the then-undefeated Cody Garbrandt in 2016, nobody had cracked the code on how to defeat the Californian since 2008. Like many, the former two-time UFC titleholder put that down to his unique style.

    However, Cruz doesn’t believe his techniques are as tough to deal with and as rare as they used to be. During an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, “The Dominator” suggested his style has become “the norm” for most bantamweights in the current landscape, citing Cory Sandhagen as an example.

    With that in mind, the #9-ranked contender believes it’s easier for his opponents to prepare for to face him than it ever used to be.

    “You’ve gotta think, when I was champion of this division, everything that I was doing, kinda, even in the WEC, I was the first to bring stance switch, hands-down head movement, just a unique, artistic-looking style that people didn’t necessarily understand. That looks like the norm now in my division… Sandhagen fights that way, Demetrious Johnson fights that way, (Kyoji) Horiguchi fights that way; the list could go on of people that fight with their hands down, switching stance, using footwork, utilizing the entire Octagon to move and not be hit, to hit and not be hit, mixing in takedowns; these are all the norm now.

    “So, with that being the norm, I don’t stand out so much. I do, but I don’t. My style is still mine, I’m not exactly like anybody, it’s not a linear, conventional style, of course, but it’s not as… there’s more guys to prepare these people that I’m fighting that can move like me for them than ever before because people have watched me be champion. I didn’t lose for a decade. People watched me… that’s just the normal now.”

    Cruz will look to show that nobody puts his style on display quite like him when he enters the Octagon during this Saturday’s preliminary card. But Munhoz, a highly-touted contender who’s never quite reached the heights many tipped him to, will represent a stiff test, and will be hoping to bounce back from a defeat to another legend in José Aldo earlier this year.

    Do you think Dominick Cruz will have his hand raised tomorrow night at UFC 269 against Pedro Munhoz?

  • Cormier & Cruz Hash It Out Over Cruz’s Criticisms Of DC’s Commentary

    Former UFC champions and current broadcast colleagues Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz sat down to have an open dialogue about Cruz’s brutally honest and very public feedback about Cormier’s commentating.

    This Saturday at UFC 269, Dominick Cruz will be competing against Pedro Munhoz in a high-level bout between two veterans ranked in the bantamweight division’s top 10. But that’s not the story Cruz made headlines for yesterday. Instead, that would be his harsh take on Daniel Cormier’s job performance as a UFC commentator/analyst.

    During a media scrum ahead of UFC 269, here is what Cruz had to say about his broadcast partner:

    “I watch (Jon) Anik do so much homework leading up to a fight. Like, people have no idea how much homework he has to do to be prepared for that, and the most kudos, for me, goes to him. He leads us in the broadcast with how he talks. When it comes to DC, I usually mute it,” Cruz said with a chuckle.

    “I love DC, he’s my friend, but to me, from my experience, he doesn’t do the homework. He wants to get in and out, get the job done, make his money. I think he cares about us, but it’s just different. He doesn’t do the preparation from my experience. He might now. I’m hoping that he watches some film this time, on me, so he knows what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. But I’m not going to hold my breath on that, for sure.”

    Cormier & Cruz Have Face-To-Face Conversation About Cruz’s Criticisms

    Cruz Mutes Cormier On Commentary: 'He Doesn't Do The Homework'
    Dominick Cruz, Daniel Cormier

    Soon after Cruz’s comments spread like wildfire throughout the MMA media, Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz had a sit-down conversation that was published on Cormier’s YouTube channel. What follows is a full recap of their conversation.

    The conversation began with Cormier attempting to nonchalantly have an interview about Cruz’s upcoming fight. Cruz, having already established his frank nature, preferred to skip the formalities and relative small talk and address the elephant in the room. Cormier politely implied that such conversations are better left private, to which Cruz proposed they speak ‘privately in public.’

    Cormier disagreed, stating things that are discussed privately should remain behind closed doors. Cruz asked who made that rule and stated that he was merely holding Cormier accountable out of love. Cruz used the analogy of Cormier holding his children accountable if they do something wrong and that it’s all out of love. Cormier replied that it’s only love in Cruz’s mind.

    Cormier: What do you hold me accountable for?

    Cruz: Not watching film.

    Cormier: Dominick, there’s different ways to prepare for a fight than watching film. It’s not singular.

    Cruz: It’s not part of it?

    Cormier: It’s not singular. I do watch film. I watch film every single time. Do I watch fights to the extent that you watch fights? No…I will openly sit here and say that I don’t watch fights to the extent that Dominick Cruz (watches it).

    Cormier concluded that because he doesn’t combat Cruz’s opinions, Cruz thinks they must be true. He would then tell Cruz to his face that he violated their trust as colleagues and friends.

    Cormier: It’s like, Dominick Cruz, I’ve watched you for years. I’ve watched you. I’ve studied you. But that’s the thing, though, because I don’t combat your opinions, you continue to build on those opinions. And honestly, can I say something? Can I tell you something right now as a friend?

    Cruz: Please.

    Cormier: It was wrong of you to say what you said this morning. 

    Cruz: Oh, so I’m wrong?

    Cormier: Because it was not fair of you as a colleague to do that publicly. You should tell me. That is a blatant mistrust of friendship and as a colleague.

    Daniel Cormier Offers Criticism To Dominick Cruz In Return

    At this point and to keep things fair, Cruz urged Cormier to give him an honest performance review as well.

    Cormier: I think you’re a fantastic analyst. 

    Cruz: Why?

    Cormier: Because you’re prepared, I think you enjoy the fights, and you love your job.

    Cruz pushed Cormier to provide negative feedback as well so that this aspect of their reviews would not be one-sided. Cormier would oblige.

    “I think you can be a bit dry,” Cormier offered.

    When Cruz disagreed with that assessment, this visibly flabbergasted the former double champion.

    At this point, a third man joined the conversation to “mediate,” a fellow colleague and former UFC champion, Michael “The Count” Bisping.

    UFC on ESPN 31 commentary team set: Cormier, Bisping lead the booth
    Jeff Bottari | Credit: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    Not long after joining the convo, Bisping told Cruz that he was in the wrong for sharing those thoughts publicly. He also revealed that Cormier used to pay someone to assist him with research, but he stopped this arrangement so that he could process the information himself and also save money.

    Cormier was asked to explain more about the researcher, and his testimony did not seem to bolster his case all that much.

    Cormier: So I had a researcher that I would pay to give me all my notes, and I would go and call the fights.

    Cruz: So how is that watching film?!

    Cormier: But then I would watch the fights still, but the guy would give me all the background stuff and all that.

    Cruz: Why? That’s your job.

    Before Cormier could respond, Bisping interjected and explained on his behalf that he didn’t pay the researcher to do all the research and film study, only some of it.

    Towards the end of the conversation, Cruz blamed the media for not providing the full context for his criticism. He also clarified that he never stated Cormier was a bad commentator.

    In any event, although Cruz still did not understand why Cormier and Bisping believe his comments would have been better kept private, he did make sure to throw in some positive feedback to his partner as well.

    “But this stuff that we’re talking about is much more fun ’cause now, the media can’t create some dark picture that I don’t appreciate you as an analyst. Because this is the truth: I do appreciate you as an analyst. I do. I think that you’re an Olympic gold medalist and you bring a different repertoire in that vision that I don’t have.”

    Cruz did not backtrack on his criticisms of Cormier’s research skills, however, and Cormier would ultimately bring the conversation to a close, expressing that things went off the rails.

    You can view the full conversation for yourself below. You can also watch Dominick Cruz’s full media day press scrum to judge for yourself if his comments were taken out of context.

  • Cruz Mutes Cormier On Commentary: ‘He Doesn’t Do The Homework’

    Just because Dominick Cruz does commentary with Daniel Cormier does not mean he likes his broadcast partner’s style.

    In addition to his career inside the Octagon, Cruz has made a name for himself as a well-established commentator, albeit with a mixed review amongst fans. While some appreciate his extremely technical breakdowns, others feel that he can be a bit confrontational in the booth, oftentimes being seen having miniature arguments with the other commentators during events.

    One of the people that he seems to take regular issue with during broadcasts is fellow former champion Daniel Cormier. Speaking to media ahead of his return to action at UFC 269, in which Cormier will be commentating his fight with Pedro Munhoz, Cruz explained that while he loves DC as a person, he could do without his commentary.

    “I watch (Jon) Anik do so much homework leading up to a fight. Like, people have no idea how much homework he has to do to be prepared for that, and the most kudos, for me, goes to him. He leads us in the broadcast with how he talks. When it comes to DC, I usually mute it,” Cruz said with a chuckle.

    Dominick Cruz: Daniel Cormier doesn't do homework as UFC analyst
    Dominick Cruz, Daniel Cormier, Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports

    “I love DC, he’s my friend, but to me, from my experience, he doesn’t do the homework. He wants to get in and out, get the job done, make his money. I think he cares about us, but it’s just different. He doesn’t do the preparation from my experience. He might now. I’m hoping that he watches some film this time, on me, so he knows what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. But I’m not going to hold my breath on that, for sure.”

    That being said, Dominick Cruz knows that he is not perfect when it comes to his work as a commentator, even though he works hard to be. However, he says it all comes down to how each person looks at things, and he does not take things personally, whether other commentators and fighters agree with him or not.

    “Honestly, I’m never perfect. There’s a roster of, I don’t know, 400-600 fighters, and not everybody is going to agree with what I say either. It’s all perspective in there. And DC, he’s a gifted athlete. I think (Michael) Bisping does a lot of homework. I think he watches a lot of film. I think there are certain people that watch the film, and I count that because I do the film study. The reason I do the film study is it’s bigger than me,” Cruz said.

    “I really don’t call or text any of them, because they’re just doing their job. They’re seeing it how they see it, it’s their interpretation. It doesn’t make it fact, and I know they’re doing the best they can, honestly.”

    It certainly seems like Dominick Cruz is simply giving his honest assessment of how he thinks Daniel Cormier does as a commentator and is not coming from a place of a personal beef. That said, it will be interesting to see if Cormier gives his response to these comments while working commentary for UFC 269 .

    Watch the full presser with Dominick Cruz below:

  • Cruz Says He’ll Be Fighting A “Friend” For The First Time At UFC 269

    UFC bantamweight contender Dominick Cruz says he’ll be sharing the cage with a friend for the first time when he faces Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269.

    Cruz, a former two-time UFC champion who’s widely regarded as one of the best bantamweights in history, will be looking to secure his second victory of 2021 on December 11.

    After having his 13-fight winning streak snapped and his belt taken away by Cody Garbrandt in 2016, Cruz spent nearly four years on the sidelines dealing with multiple injuries. He returned last May but fell short of regaining the title after former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo finished him late in the second round.

    Having rebounded with a split decision triumph over Casey Kenney at UFC 259 in March, Cruz will be looking to take another step up the 135-pound ladder when he collides with #8-ranked Munhoz.

    Having lost three of his last four outings, including a decision setback against José Aldo in August, the Brazilian will be looking to maintain his place in the division by halting the charge of Cruz.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWLxJLzlElk/

    Cruz Respects Munhoz Outside Of The Octagon

    From rivalries to bad blood, Cruz has pretty much faced every scenario across his illustrious 16-year career. However, “The Dominator” has revealed he’ll be experiencing something new at the final pay-per-view of the year.

    During an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Cruz suggested his clash with Munhoz will represent the first time he’s ever entered the Octagon with someone he considers to be a friend.

    “Pedro’s an OG in the game; been here forever, almost as long as me, if not the same amount. I have mutual respect for him. The one thing that’s different about Pedro is I’ve never fought somebody who’s actually, like, I would consider a friend. Pedro is actually a friend of mine, so this is a first for me. I’ve had rematches, I’ve had people that I don’t like, I’ve had rivalries, I’ve had all of it.

    “The one thing I haven’t had is a friend, somebody that I respect as a human being outside of the sport, and not just what they’ve done in the sport. That’s different, but it’s not gonna stop us from trying to rip each other’s faces off because that’s what we are.”

    Discussing his relationship with his fellow bantamweight veteran, Cruz described the lengths Munhoz went to during a trip the former champ made to the 35-year-old’s home country of Brazil a number of years ago.

    “We’re not like, close, because he lives in Florida and I live here (San Diego), but I went to Brazil and I’ve done some things (there) and he made sure I was taken care of and was just, you know, we went on a run, we did some training when my shoulder was blown out a couple years ago… Not a lot of fighters would open up their door in their country to just be kind and create a space to train and he did that. He was very open about it, very honest, and we were honest so, we became friends at that time. It’s not like we hang out all the time or anything like that, I just respect the human being that he is outside of fighting.”

    Despite their friendly relationship, “The Dominator” and “The Young Punisher” will go to war this weekend on the preliminary card of what promises to be a blockbuster pay-per-view to close out the year.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 269, Dominick Cruz or Pedro Munhoz?