There is a point in everyone’s life where they come face to face with the next level. For Dominick Cruz, that moment will be on Saturday, in front of a max capacity crowd.
Cruz’s path in MMA begins and end with the legend of his opponent, Urijah Faber. In his first fight in World Extreme Cagefighting, the then-featherweight took on Faber for the title and lost in the first round by a choke out. It’s not exactly the way that Cruz would have predicted his career to start off with.
From there he has moved up to the bantamweight division where he has been nothing short of inspiring to watch. He quickly honed his skills into become one of the best strikers at 135 and a nightmare for his opponents, but this fight won’t be about his style, as much as his memory.
Faber is a legend. In a popularity contest there would be Faber as the clear cut winner. Faber, six years older than his UFC 132 opponent is, was already a legend before Cruz stepping into the cage with him. The fight with Cruz wasn’t another blip on the radar, it was the first in a two year title defense of the featherweight crown.
Cruz and Faber meet again but this time there is so much more at stake for Cruz. Back then, five years earlier it was a loss that was easy to shake off. Faber was the legend, and Cruz wasn’t ready for the big time.
Now they step into the ring and Cruz must win or the ghost of Faber will haunt him forever.
Plenty of times in sports we end up finding out just what we are made of. Cruz has talked a big game, but is he really ready to step up to the challenge?
If he struggles early might he begin to feel the pressure of winning, or the need to not choke?
For Faber this match means little, his placement is cemented no matter the outcome. As for the match, the betting odds have to be in favor of Cruz.
He’s the younger fighter and his skill-set is wide ranging. Not only is he a good striker, but he’s the kind of striker that is likely to confuse you with his attack. Faber will face a much tougher Cruz than he faced years ago, but it’s Cruz that is up to his toughest task.
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