Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Dominick Cruz now wants to step in and face Henry Cejudo to try and reclaim his title.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused many changes to multiple UFC cards. A few days ago, it was announced that Sao Paulo will no longer be the venue for UFC 250, which is scheduled to take place on May 9th.
As a result, the UFC is reportedly trying to get former champion Jose Aldo and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to the United States to keep them on the card. But if Aldo, in particular, won’t be able to make it, former champion Dominick Cruz says he’s ready to step in and challenge current 135-pound titleholder Henry Cejudo.
If @HenryCejudo ends up without a dance partner, @DominickCruz is ready and willing to step in. (via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/aoc4L01so3
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 7, 2020
“Now he’s [Dana White] saying that Aldo might not be able to get in, Yan might not be able to get in, and now the MMA world can know that this fight (against Cejudo) is a real possibility,” Cruz told ESPN (via BJPenn.com). “That’s really the situation, is that since that can’t come in, it opens up a slot for me to slide in there.
“I’ll always take a fight with a title. That’s what we do this for, you slide in there and you take the title shot right when it’s there. And realistically, with Aldo and Yan out and this opportunity, why wouldn’t I take it? That’s what I’ve been asking for a long time.”
Cejudo first called out Cruz a week ago and planned to be a last-minute addition to the then-endangered UFC 249, which the latter agreed to.
UFC 250 is set to feature two championship bouts. Apart from Cejudo’s title defense, Amanda Nunes will also defend her featherweight belt against Felicia Spencer. Just like UFC 249, the new venue for this event remains unspecified.