The first-ever UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz is calling it a career after his latest injuries.
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String of injuries
In December 2011, Cruz was selected to coach
The Ultimate Fighter: Live against opposing coach
Urijah Faber.
[41] The rubber match between Cruz and Faber was expected to take place on July 7, 2012, at
UFC 148.
[42] However, on May 7, 2012, Cruz was forced to pull out of the bout citing a torn ACL.
[43]
On December 3, 2012, it was revealed that Cruz underwent another ACL surgery after his body rejected one from a cadaver, with an expected recovery time of six to nine months.
[44]
Cruz was scheduled to make his return on February 1, 2014, at
UFC 169 in a unification bout with
interim UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barão.
[45] However, on a January 6 episode of
SportsCenter, UFC president Dana White announced that Dominick Cruz had torn his groin and vacated the UFC Bantamweight Championship; White promoted Barão to undisputed UFC Bantamweight Champion, and announced that Barão's first unified title defense would be against
Urijah Faber at
UFC 169.
[46]
After nearly three years away from the sport due to injuries, Cruz returned to the octagon on September 27, 2014, at
UFC 178 where he faced
Takeya Mizugaki.
[47] Cruz won the fight by KO in the first round by punches after getting a takedown.
[48] The win also earned Cruz his first
Performance of the Night bonus award.
[49] At the post-fight press conference, Dana White confirmed that Cruz's next fight would be for the Bantamweight Championship against
T.J. Dillashaw.
Subsequently, on December 22, 2014, Cruz indicated that he had torn the
ACL in his other knee, which sidelined him through 2015.
[50]
Regaining the championship
After over four years since his last title fight, Cruz faced
T.J. Dillashaw on January 17, 2016, at
UFC Fight Night 81. He regained the title with a split-decision victory.
[51] Both participants were awarded
Fight of the Night honors.
[52] Many have cited the return and victory as one of the greatest comebacks in MMA history.
[10][11]
To complete their trilogy, Cruz defended his title against
Urijah Faber on June 4, 2016, at
UFC 199. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
[53]
Injuries and losing the title
Cruz faced
Cody Garbrandt on December 30, 2016, at
UFC 207. After getting knocked down multiple times during the bout, Cruz lost the bout by unanimous decision.
[54] This was the first loss for Cruz in nearly 10 years.
[55] Months later, on
The Joe Rogan Experience, Cruz revealed that he was plagued by
plantar fascia tendinitis throughout training camp that made it difficult for him to walk at times.
[56]
Cruz was expected to face
Jimmie Rivera on December 30, 2017, at
UFC 219, however, on November 8, it was reported Cruz suffered a broken arm and he was forced to pull from the card.
[57]
Cruz was expected to face
John Lineker on January 26, 2019 at
UFC 233.
[58] It was reported on December 11, 2018 that Cruz injured his shoulder and pulled out of the fight.
[59] Subsequently, Cruz indicated that he expects to be out of competition for another year.
[60]
After more than a 3 year-layoff, Cruz replaced
José Aldo and faced
Henry Cejudo for the
UFC Bantamweight Championship on May 9, 2020 at
UFC 249.
[61] Cruz lost via TKO in the second round.
[62]
Cruz faced
Casey Kenney on March 6, 2021 at
UFC 259.
[63] He won the fight via split decision.
[64]
Cruz faced
Pedro Munhoz on December 11, 2021 at
UFC 269.
[65] He won the fight via unanimous decision despite getting knocked down twice during the opening round.
[66] The bout earned the
Fight of the Night bonus award.
[67]
Cruz faced
Marlon Vera on August 13, 2022 at
UFC on ESPN 41.
[68] He lost the fight by knockout via a head kick in round four.
[69]
Retirement
After over a two year absence, Cruz was scheduled to face
Rob Font on February 22, 2025, at
UFC Fight Night 252 for his retirement fight.
[70] However, Cruz withdrew from the fight due to a shoulder injury, and announced his retirement from competition.
[71][72]