Dominick Cruz Comments on Future, Knows he Won’t Have Trouble Finding a Fight

On account of all the injuries Dominick Cruz has had to deal with over the years, and the fact he has a commentating gig, there’s been speculation about whether he could retire following UFC 249.

But, shortly removed from his stoppage loss to bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo, it sounds like the legend won’t be hanging up the gloves yet.

Cruz comments on future following latest setback

After the UFC was forced to shift things around due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cruz agreed to face Cejudo on short notice. The fight marked the first time Cruz had fought since 2016, when he lost the bantamweight belt to Cody Garbrandt.

Cruz’s latest bid to reclaim the title did not go according to plan, however, as Cejudo scored a second-round stoppage. Although Cruz has vehemently protested the ref’s actions, and not everyone believes the fight should have been stopped when it was, there have been questions about his future.

After all, Cruz is 34 now, he’s undergone numerous surgeries, and he’s also a successful commentator. So what is he thinking about his MMA career? 

Following UFC 249, Cruz spoke with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, and this is some of what he had to say (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Yeah, I’m in this,” Cruz said. “I just need to get in there and get some more rounds. Let these legs flush, move them around. I’m healthy.

I love feeling lethal and right now I am a lethal person, still. I love being healthy, it feels so good to be healthy. Even after a fight, to feel healthy like I do, it’s different.

“…“I feel healthy and I don’t feel broken,” he said. “I’m here and I’m gonna get back to the gym and train and then move from there.

I’ve got people that can make this move any time we want. It’s not gonna be hard to find people that wanna fight me and it’s not gonna be hard for me to find a fight.

So I think it’s needless to say that you will be hearing from me in some way, shape or form again.”

Reaction?

Cruz is certainly right that he won’t have trouble finding an opponent. Although he’s lost two in a row, he remains one of the greatest bantamweights of all time. 

Further, due to his record, he’s likely only two pivotal wins away from another title shot. So, when you consider that, and the fact Cruz is such a competitor, it’s not surprising to hear he’s thinking about fighting again. 

Hopefully, Cruz can remain healthy, and we get to see him fight once more before 2020 is up.