Tag: Dominick Cruz

Dominick Cruz vs. Marlon Vera Targeted For August 13 Event

A fight between top bantamweights Dominick Cruz and Marlon Vera is currently targeted to headline a UFC Fight Night card on August 13. A report from ESPN Deportes indicates that the matchup and date have been verbally agreed upon by both fighters. Marlon “Chito” Vera is currently on a three-fight win streak following a unanimous…

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A fight between top bantamweights Dominick Cruz and Marlon Vera is currently targeted to headline a UFC Fight Night card on August 13.

A report from ESPN Deportes indicates that the matchup and date have been verbally agreed upon by both fighters.

Marlon “Chito” Vera is currently on a three-fight win streak following a unanimous decision victory over Rob Font in his first UFC main event in April. Prior to that, the Ecuadorian finished former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and won a unanimous decision over Davey Grant.

The 29-year-old’s last loss was a unanimous decision against former featherweight king Jose Aldo in 2020.

Former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has won two-straight fights after being stopped by Henry Cejudo in a bid to regain his title in 2020. That fight with Cejudo was Cruz’s first bout in more than three years after he originally lost his title to Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207.

“The Dominator” rebounded from his loss to Cejudo with a split-decision over Casey Kenney, followed by a unanimous decision win against Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269 last December.

Currently the UFC’s #5-ranked bantamweight contender, Vera made waves after his win over Rob Font when he called out Cruz during an appearance on The MMA Hour. Speaking to host Ariel Helwani, “Chito” pointed out Cruz’s previous stance that he was unwilling to fight Vera due to him being ranked too low.

The 37-year old former champion is currently #8 in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings.

With this bantamweight matchup potentially slotted in as the main event, other bouts for the UFC’s August 13 card currently include:

Devin Clark vs. Azamat Murzakanov (Heavyweight)

Aspen Ladd vs. Sara McMann (Women’s Bantamweight)

Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo (Women’s Flyweight)

Yazmin Jauregui vs. Istela Nunes (Strawweight)

Gerald Meerschaert vs. Bruno Silva (Middleweight)

Lukasz Brzeski vs. Martin Buday (Heavyweight)

Who do you think gets their hand raised in a fight between Dominick Cruz and Marlon Vera?

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Sterling Assures Cejudo He’s Interested In A Fight After “Hoe” Taunt

UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling may be on a collision course with Henry Cejudo for his next title defense. Sterling is pondering his options regarding his next bantamweight title defense. He most recently outlasted Petr Yan via a split decision at UFC 273 earlier this year. Former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw had been assumed to…

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UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling may be on a collision course with Henry Cejudo for his next title defense.

Sterling is pondering his options regarding his next bantamweight title defense. He most recently outlasted Petr Yan via a split decision at UFC 273 earlier this year.

Former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw had been assumed to be the next man up, but Sterling also expressed interest in fights with Dominick Cruz and José Aldo during a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience.

One prominent name left out of Sterling’s brainstorming was Cejudo, who recently re-entered the USADA pool and appears set for a return to the Octagon later this year. After getting word of Sterling’s comments, Cejudo blasted the 135lb champion on social media.

“Since I told this man what I would do to him on the sit down with [Daniel Cormier] he stopped bringing my name up,” Cejudo said of Sterling. “You a smart little hoe [Aljamain Sterling] relish and cherish my belt. Two of those so-called legends lasted one round and the other two.”

Following Cejudo’s attacks, Sterling hit back at the former champion in a recent tweet.

“Lol don’t get your speedos in a bunch cupcake,” Sterling replied. “Ask the media why they didn’t add the parts of me accepting a fight with you. But then again, you’re not even in the players bracket “Mr. Timeout, I need a break!”

Cejudo retired from the UFC following a win over Cruz at UFC 249. He has since hinted at a UFC comeback and a potential move to featherweight to challenge Alexander Volkanovski.

Dillashaw seems to be the most logical option for the next title shot against Sterling, but Cejudo seems open to a move back to his divisional stomping grounds for an opportunity to become a three-time UFC champion.

Do you want to see Aljamain Sterling face Henry Cejudo next?

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Henry Cejudo Fires Back At Cruz, Vera’s PED Accusations

Henry Cejudo has responded to Dominick Cruz and Marlon Vera’s recent performance enhancing drug (PED) accusations against him. Cejudo took to his podcast, “Triple C & Schmo Show,” to respond to the recent comments made by Cruz and Vera. Cruz suggested Cejudo could be using PEDs during a recent interview on The MMA Hour. Vera…

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Henry Cejudo has responded to Dominick Cruz and Marlon Vera’s recent performance enhancing drug (PED) accusations against him.

Cejudo took to his podcast, “Triple C & Schmo Show,” to respond to the recent comments made by Cruz and Vera. Cruz suggested Cejudo could be using PEDs during a recent interview on The MMA Hour. Vera did the same while being interviewed by Schmo himself.

“Triple C” said he finds the accusations funny, especially since he’s been tested by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) since he was a teenager.

“It’s funny to me. I don’t even get offended by this. It’s funny to me. … Come on, man! I’ve been tested by USADA [United States Anti-Doping Agency] for the last… since I was a 17-year-old kid.

“I’m almost 20 years in the d*mn business, man. Like, you know what I’m saying? That’s stupid. Dominick ‘Snooze’, this is how Floyd Mayweather sued Manny Pacquiao for defamation of character.

“So you and that ugly a** ‘Chito’ Vera [should] be careful with what you guys say.”

Cejudo also took to Twitter for a follow-up comment on the accusations, saying he finds them flattering.

Cejudo officially retired from mixed martial arts (MMA) in May of 2020 after defeating Cruz to retain his bantamweight championship. He finished Cruz in the second round via knockout. Now, however, Cejudo seems to be contemplating a return to action.

Currently, the division is run by Aljamain Sterling, who unified his title with interim champion Petr Yan earlier this month with a split decision win.

Should Cejudo continue to be tested by USADA successfully in the next few months, a return to the title picture could very well be a possibility.

What do you make of Henry Cejudo being accused of PED use by Cruz and Vera? Sound off in the comments section below!

Quotes via Sportskeeda

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Dillashaw Responds To Cruz’s UFC “Hook-Up” Claim: ‘He’s A Salty C*nt’

UFC bantamweight TJ Dillashaw had some choice words when asked about some recent comments from fellow former champion Dominick Cruz. After more than two years out the game owing to a failed drug test and USADA suspension, former two-time titleholder Dillashaw returned to the Octagon last July at UFC Vegas 32. Seeing no need for…

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UFC bantamweight TJ Dillashaw had some choice words when asked about some recent comments from fellow former champion Dominick Cruz.

After more than two years out the game owing to a failed drug test and USADA suspension, former two-time titleholder Dillashaw returned to the Octagon last July at UFC Vegas 32. Seeing no need for a tune-up fight, the veteran jumped straight back into the deep end against then-#2 contender Cory Sandhagen.

Overcoming some heavy adversity in the form of a deep cut and a serious knee injury sustained inside the opening round, Dillashaw secured victory by way of split decision, leaving him back in the bantamweight shark tank and in line for a shot at regaining his place on the throne.

But despite Dillashaw’s calls for a title shot, as well as champion Aljamain Sterling’s apparent willingness to face the challenge of the Californian next, one top-10 bantamweight sees a Dillashaw championship opportunity as ludicrous.

During a recent interview on The MMA Hour, Cruz, who dethroned Dillashaw back in 2016, suggested that the UFC would be providing a “hook-up” for the 36-year-old by placing him in a title fight after just one fight back from suspension.

In response, Dillashaw branded the current #8-ranked contender as a “salty c*nt” who’s jealous that he’s been able to maintain his place at the top of the division despite a lengthy layoff.

“He sounds like a salty c*nt, to be honest,” asserted Dillashaw during an appearance on Submission Radio. “He’s just jealous of me being able to stay at the top with my layoff and how long I’ve been in the sport, and me being able to come back and prove that I’m still the best, you know?”

In criticizing what looks to be a likely title shot for Dillashaw, Cruz also seemed to suggest that Dillashaw won’t have been truly punished for his infractions should he be granted the next fight with Sterling, especially considering that he “didn’t really lose any money” during his period away from the cage.

According to Dillashaw, the idea that he didn’t suffer from a loss of income during his suspension, which led to him losing the 135-pound title, is far from the truth.

“And I did lose money, right? Me not fighting for two years while being the champion is a lot of money out of my pocket, you know, (if I kept) racking the wins, getting title defenses,” suggested Dillashaw. “I mean, we’re talking about million and millions of dollars that I let slip through my fingers because I made a f*cking stupid mistake.

“I paid my time, I came back and f*cking grinded to get that win (over Sandhagen) on one leg and one eye, and there’s nothing you can do to deny me, that’s my shot,” insisted Dillashaw.

Dillashaw: “Salty” Is Cruz’s Personality

Ultimately, Dillashaw didn’t seem too surprised by Cruz’s comments. He went on to suggest that being “salty” about the success of others is simply a big part of the 37-year-old’s personality.

Dillashaw also explained that Cruz is likely looking to downplay his title credentials because he won’t ever make it back to contention himself.

“He’s just being salty, and that’s kinda his personality anyways. He’s kind of an unlikeable dude,” said Dillashaw. “I mean, I’ve always respected him, I think he’s got a good eye for stuff, but he’s got like, this chip on his shoulder where he feels like everything’s owed to him. He’s always complaining about sh*t.

“It’s just his personality. Of course, he’s gonna say that. But it’s because he’ll never get there again,” added Dillashaw. “I don’t think he’s ever gonna have a shot to get the belt back. That probably bothers him because, at one time, he was the best.”

While Cruz, who is riding a two-fight win streak following 2021 victories over Casey Kenney and Pedro Munhoz, will be looking for the next opponent who can help him claw his way back to the top, it seems more than likely that Dillashaw is already there.

As well as Sterling’s in-person post-fight callout at UFC 273, both men have gone back and forth on social media and in interviews. It seems only a matter of time until that bout gets booked, especially given that Dillashaw has made a full recovery following two knee surgeries last year.

Who do you agree with, TJ Dillashaw or Dominick Cruz?

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Sonnen Suggests Dominick Cruz Is Stuck In A “Conflict Of Interest”

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen has questioned why bantamweight legend Dominick Cruz isn’t speaking up and calling for a championship opportunity. Cruz, who has sat on the 135-pound throne on two separate occasions and is widely regarded as one of the greatest in UFC history, returned to the Octagon from a near-four-year layoff in…

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Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen has questioned why bantamweight legend Dominick Cruz isn’t speaking up and calling for a championship opportunity.

Cruz, who has sat on the 135-pound throne on two separate occasions and is widely regarded as one of the greatest in UFC history, returned to the Octagon from a near-four-year layoff in 2020, unsuccessfully challenging then-champion Henry Cejudo.

But since his TKO defeat to “Triple C,” Cruz has returned to form with back-to-back triumphs. After rebounding with a split decision win against Casey Kenney last March, the 37-year-old made it two in a row with victory over perennial contender Pedro Munhoz on the scorecards last December at UFC 269.

Now, having looked back to his best last time out and risen to #8 in the rankings, Cruz’s hunt for a third reign looks to be well and truly under way. But one former two-division title challenger is confused by the Californian’s approach.

In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen highlighted that “The Dominator” has been a notably absent in the championship conversation despite his form, past success, and clear credentials.

According to Sonnen, the fault for that lies with Cruz.

“I like to hear from Dominick. I really do feel that the only thing that is missing from Dominick Cruz and Dominick Cruz being in a world title opportunity is Dominick speaking up, truly,” suggested Sonnen. “We all know how great Dominick is. My God, this guy is a legend. If there’s anybody who is a lock for the (UFC) Hall of Fame, it’s Dominick Cruz.

“Even I didn’t realize how good he was until his last fight… Jon Anik reads for the world, a statistic on Dominick, that Dominick has never lost a fight that wasn’t a world title fight… That’s incredible. And he’s still active to this day, not to mention Dominick vs. Aljo (Aljamain Sterling) is a fascinating match,” added Sonnen. “The only thing stopping Dominick Cruz from getting that fight is Dominick Cruz. Why isn’t he speaking up?”

With that said, Sonnen provided a theory as to why Cruz hasn’t been making more noise in the division, and it surrounds his commitments and roles outside the cage.

Sonnen: Cruz Doesn’t Want To Overstep

While injuries played havoc with his fighting career and left him on the sidelines for an extended period of time, Cruz honed his coaching abilities and found a place on the UFC’s commentary desk.

With those roles, Sonnen believes that Cruz is facing a conflict of interest, which is preventing him from campaigning more for a place in the title picture. Sonnen’s comments come after Cruz gave his take on fighter pay and the recent judging debate, a conversation that the 45-year-old branded as “uninteresting” in comparison to Cruz’s title credentials.

“Dominick speaks up with Ariel (Helwani) about pay and as it pertains to a commission. That is completely uninteresting… I will listen to anything Dominick says, he’s just not saying very much,” noted Sonnen. “Why is that? Quite frankly, if I was to guess, I think it’s a combination. I think it’s a combination of him, one, being a coach, so he doesn’t wanna ruffle any feathers; and two, being an announcer, right? He doesn’t wanna ruffle any feathers.

“He doesn’t wanna use that platform and overstep in something that he would view as a conflict of interest within his own career. I think it’s polite. I think it’s very professional. I don’t know that Dominick’s doing anything wrong,” continued Sonnen. “But I will take my same stance, the only thing stopping Dominick Cruz from being in a main event and being opposite (the champion) for a world championship fight, which it sounds like he deserves, (is Cruz).”

There’s no word on who Cruz will fight next. After recent callouts from rising top-five contender Marlon Vera went unanswered, it seems that he won’t be sharing the cage with “Chito.”

Nevertheless, with his color commentator duties, it’s safe to say that Cruz will remain an ever-present on our screens, even when he doesn’t have a fight booked.

Do you agree with Chael Sonnen’s take?

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T.J. Dillashaw Blasts ‘Salty C*nt’ Dominick Cruz: ‘He’s Obviously Jealous Of Me’

T.J. DillashawFormer two-time UFC bantamweight kingpin, T.J. Dillashaw has taken aim at his fellow former two-time division best and past opponent, Dominick Cruz – after the latter questioned how Dillashaw could potentially fight for a title next following an infamous two-year USADA suspension before his July return. Dillashaw, who shared the Octagon with then-challenger, Cruz back […]

T.J. Dillashaw

Former two-time UFC bantamweight kingpin, T.J. Dillashaw has taken aim at his fellow former two-time division best and past opponent, Dominick Cruz – after the latter questioned how Dillashaw could potentially fight for a title next following an infamous two-year USADA suspension before his July return.

Dillashaw, who shared the Octagon with then-challenger, Cruz back in the main event of UFC Fight Night Boston in January of 2016, dropped the undisputed bantamweight champion to the former in the form of a close, split decision defeat. 

In his most recent Octagon appearance, Dillashaw, a native of Angels Camp, headlined a July UFC Apex facility event against Cory Sandhagen, earning his place amongst title contention with a close, split judging win of his own.

However, Dillashaw has received criticism as of late for his calls for a title fight against champion, Aljamain Sterling – with many pointing to his notorious USADA anti-doping violation back in January 2020 following his flyweight title challenge loss to Henry Cejudo.

Slapped with a two-year, retroactive suspension, Dillashaw, who plys his trade under the tutelage of Duane Ludwig, tested positive for in-competition use of erythropoietin (EPO) – resulting in him relinquishing the bantamweight title.

Commenting on Dillashaw’s potential title siege against Sterling next, Cruz questioned how he could march right back into his a title tilt following his past anti-doping transgression. 

T.J. Dillashaw reacts to recent comments from past opponent, Dominick Cruz

Reacting to Cruz’s comments, Dillashaw labelled the former champion a “salty c*nt”, and insisted he was clearly jealous of him.

“He (Dominick Cruz) sounds like a salty c*nt,” T.J. Dillashaw told Submission Radio during a recent interview. “I just think he’s obviously jealous of me being able to stay in the top, you know, my layoff and how long I’ve been in the sport and me still be able to come back and prove that I’m still the best. And I did lose money, right? Me not fighting for two years while being a champion is a lot of money out of my pocket. [If I] kept racking up wins, getting title defenses, I mean, we’re talking about millions and millions of dollars that I let slip through my fingers because I made a f*cking stupid mistake.”

“So yeah, I paid my time, I came back and f*ckin’ grinded to get that win on f*cking one leg and one eye, and there’s nothing you can do to deny me that it’s my shot,” T.J. Dillashaw explained. “So, like I said, he’s just being salty, and that’s kind of his personality anyways. He’s kind of an unlikeable dude, I mean, I’ve always respected him and I think he’s got a good eye for stuff, but he’s got like this chip on his shoulder where he feels like everything’s owed to him, and he’s just like always complaining about sh*t.”

Targeting an August Octagon comeback, Cruz, who holds recent wins over both Casey Kenney and Pedro Munhoz – the most recent of which at UFC 269 in December, has welcomed fights against the likes of former champions, Petr Yan, and Jose Aldo.