‘We’ve Just Got To Tighten Up Some Defense’

Former two-time undisputed UFC bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz has distanced himself from discuss of a possible retirement from skilled combined martial arts and energetic competitors, claiming he simply must sharpen up on his protection following a excessive kick knockout loss to Marlon Vera final day trip.

Cruz, a former WEC bantamweight titleholder and former two-time UFC bantamweight pacesetter, is thought to be one of many best division options of all time – and presently occupies the #7 rank within the official division pile.

Headlining UFC San Diego again in August in a California homecoming, Cruz featured towards Ecuadorian-born favourite, Vera, struggling a brutal fourth round high kick knockout defeat towards the Jason Parillo-trained contender.

Dominick Cruz has distanced himself from an MMA retirement

Seeing his run of two consecutive victories halted in his defeat to the Chone finisher, Cruz, who was each linked with a possible conflict with the just lately retired, Jose Aldo, in addition to his personal respective retirement, insists there’s nonetheless vital tread left on his tires.

“Proper now, it’s been a month-and-a-half, I’m operating once more,” Dominick Cruz informed Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “I’ve been lifting, getting the physique sturdy. I’m nonetheless top-10 stage. I don’t take a look at myself after that loss and go, ‘I’m not there anymore.’ I do the alternative. I am going, alright, velocity’s nonetheless there, energy’s nonetheless there, all these items’s nonetheless there. We’ve simply received to tighten up some protection.”

“You both retire, otherwise you lose, and people are your selections,” Dominick Cruz defined. “I feel lots of people who retire, they didn’t lose as a result of they retired. You possibly can simply maintain going, however there’s a degree the place you’re simply going to stack up too many losses since you’re not there anymore.” 

“I don’t actually take a look at my final struggle and go, ‘Ah, you’re not likely on the stage, these guys are simply outclassing you.’” Dominick Cruz stated. “It wasn’t actually that. So, simply take my group, repair the basics, and take it a day at a time. Get my physique sturdy, and simply prepare and love coaching.” (Transcribed by Bloody Elbow)

Within the midst of a two-fight profitable run earlier than his KO loss towards Vera, Cruz defeated each Casey Kenney, and most just lately, Pedro Munhoz with a unanimous choice win within the featured preliminary conflict of UFC 269 again in December of final 12 months.