Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has recently ramped up his trash talk heading into his title fight with TJ Dillashaw, but he just won’t be able to match Conor’s McGregor’s unattainable level… Billed as one of the most pivotal and resonating bantamweight title bouts in UFC history, former champion Dominick Cruz is finally set
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has recently ramped up his trash talk heading into his title fight with TJ Dillashaw, but he just won’t be able to match Conor’s McGregor’s unattainable level…
Billed as one of the most pivotal and resonating bantamweight title bouts in UFC history, former champion Dominick Cruz is finally set to return from a 16-month absence against current champion TJ Dillashaw in the headlining bout of this Sunday night’s (January 17, 2016) UFC Fight Night 81 from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Cruz will seek to regain the belt that he never lost, as a seemingly never-ending slew of serious knee and groin injuries held ‘The Dominator’ to only a single fight since his decision victory over pound-for-pound great Demetrious Johnson in October 2011.
The former titleholder has since spent his time off becoming one of the most well known and respected analysts in the fight game, breaking down cards on FOX Sports with a technical expertise that few, if any, have ever demonstrated in the broadcast booth. That has resulted in a refined wit for the already sharp Cruz, and it’s clear that he’s certainly stepped up his smack talking outside the cage in his recent spots with a badly outclassed Dillashaw.
Its no doubt a cue that all fighters can take from Cruz, who’s apparently emulated featherweight champion Conor McGregor in a sense to create more buzz for his fights by berating his opponent outside of the Octagon. While that’s certainly nothing new in the fight game, Cruz has taken it to a new level for the bantamweight division.
Yet no fighters can match McGregor’s silver-tongued comebacks and his thunderous knockout power in the cage, and despite deserving recognition for his efforts, Cruz is one of these competitors. Let’s examine why.
It’s quite possible Aljamain Sterling is the threat none of the top fighters in the UFC bantamweight see coming at the current time. And that’s just fine with him.
In fact, it was one of his fellow members of Team Serra-Longo who traveled a similar tra…
It’s quite possible Aljamain Sterling is the threat none of the top fighters in the UFC bantamweight see coming at the current time. And that’s just fine with him.
In fact, it was one of his fellow members of Team Serra-Longo who traveled a similar trajectory until he shocked the world by dethroning the man widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. And while The Funk Master isn’t ready to put himself in the same lane as current middleweight champion Chris Weidman, the 25-year-old prospect knows exactly what it looks like to be an undefeated rising talent that hasn’t gotten his full due.
“My current situation is almost reminiscent of Chris Weidman‘s scenario,” Sterling said in an exclusive interview. “He was that undefeated guy coming in and no one really knew who he was yet, but it was clear the guy was very good and talented. But people weren’t sold on him getting the title shot against Anderson Silva, then a whole bunch of injuries kind of played to his favor. He ended up being the guy to get the shot and he ended up being the guy who shocked the world despite being a crazy underdog to the fighter people considered the greatest of all time in Silva.
“I think I have a similar storyline. I’m traveling the same path, and if the opportunity presents itself and makes sense, I’m going to jump all over it. I’m going to jump on the opportunity and ride this thing out. You never know what is going to happen in this game. Injuries pop up and other things keep you on the sidelines and you have to take what opportunities you can. If that opportunity becomes available for me like it was for Weidman…I’ll take it.”
While it’s unclear whether or not Sterling currently exists on the radar for a shot at the 135-pound crown, what is crystal clear at the moment is Long Island native’s arrival in the top-10 rankings of the bantamweight fold. Sterling made the jump from an up-and-coming talent to watch to the latest addition in the divisional upper tier by putting away veteran stalwart TakeyaMizugaki at UFC on Fox 15 back in April.
The young upstart returned from a nine-month layoff to face the hard-nosed Mizugaki and was able to control the action until he finished the fight with a highlight-reel arm-triangle choke from bottom position. It is a submission rarely seen at the highest level of MMA, but Sterling made it appear as if it was just another Saturday night at the office when he choked out Mizugaki at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The victory—and the fashion in which he earned it—was precisely the statement he wanted to make to a division he fully intends to take over.
“I told everybody it was going to be the return of the funk and I wasn’t sure if they believed me or not,” Sterling laughed. “Getting that win felt great. It felt good to get back in there, mix it up and cement my name up there in the top 10 of the bantamweight division. It let everyone know I’m here and I’m for real, and I think my performance showed how versatile I am.
“I’m a hard guy to hit and take down, and once I get you on the ground I’m going to choke you out. Even if you resist a few of the other attempts I’m going to get you one way or the other. I’m like the Boogeyman…I’m gonna get you.
“Coach Serra was very happy because he knew we were going to get the submission win,” he added. “We knew we could finish the fight standing up or on the ground. It was a matter of what Mizugaki gave us. He gave us the takedown and left his neck out there for me. I was able to wrap him up, but I wasn’t able to get the mount. That was the thing I was really gunning for was the full mount. I wanted to beat him up from there then hopefully choke him out. I didn’t get full mount but I still got to choke him out so I’m happy.”
Even though Sterling suffered a muscle-related injury in his tilt with Mizugaki, he’s already eyeing the next step in his journey to the top. The former wrestling standout turned mixed martial artist isn’t looking to waste anymore time waiting on the sidelines, and he’s eager to keep everything he has working in his favor rolling in a smooth motion.
That said, he also understands the road toward his next challenge in the bantamweight division may depend on a few moving parts falling into place. The current state of the upper echelon of the divisional hierarchy is one riddled with injury and missing pieces that have kept the 135-pound collective at a standstill for the start of 2015. And while Sterling acknowledges how things look at the present time in his weight class, he also sees the opportunities that could come from a division in flux.
“It really just depends on the division,” Sterling explained. “Right now things are pretty stagnant with all the injuries. You also have [Urijah] Faber booked up with Frankie Edgar. I think in a perfect world I have one more fight then I get to fight one of those top five guys. So I guess I’m saying two more fights and I’m fighting for a title. Right now though, I could actually see getting one more win then fighting for a title if none of the other guys are healthy because I’m not looking to sit out for a long time. I’m here and I have people talking about me. I think people are excited to see what I can do and I want to keep building my momentum.
“I don’t want to be sitting around for another nine months before I fight again. I don’t want to be dangling in the wind because it’s out of sight, out of mind in this game. People can forget about you so quickly and that’s not what I want. I want to keep people talking because at the end of the day that’s what is going to get you paid. People have to want to care to watch you fight and you have to be relevant.”
Sterling may be traveling a path many other mixed martial artists before him have ventured, but there are certainly elements to his professional profile that come as a breath of fresh air in combat sports. Despite being one of the newest faces on the sport’s biggest stage, Sterling has continuously operated with the presentation and perspective of a seasoned veteran in the fight game.
In this he’s quick to credit his teammates and coaches for the guidance they have provided, but there’s more to the talented kid they call “Aljo” inside the walls of LAW MMA in his home city. Sterling is as charismatic outside of the cage as he is efficient when the bright lights are on. Furthermore, the native New Yorker has embraced what it means to operate in the public view and it’s a charge he takes very seriously.
He’s found comfort in attempting to set an example for others, and perhaps his rise in visibility couldn’t come at a better time for the sport. With the recent news of light heavyweight phenom Jon Jones being stripped of his title over and suspended by the UFC indefinitely over legal issues, and a laundry list of PED (performance-enhancing drugs) policy violators coming to light over the past two years, Sterling is determined to prove great things can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.
While that combination may be the oldest formula in the book, the new-school talent has no issues with using an old-school method to carve out his place in MMA.
“I think it’s huge to set a good example,” Sterling said. “Whether you like it or not, as a professional athlete you are always going to be projected out into that spotlight of judgement. People are always going to judge every single thing we do and I think it’s cool to just be real with yourself. At the same time, as long as you’re being real with yourself, you have to be respectful to the youth. Even though they aren’t your kids or people you may ever meet, people look up to you, and you have the chance to influence both kids and adults alike.
“You can have a great influence on people as a whole, and for you to look at it like you don’t give a crap and you’re doing you and don’t care what anyone tells you; that’s selfish. You are that person who has this God-given talent and the ability to do great things. You have the ability to achieve goals that so many other people wanted to but didn’t have the talent to do it. I think it’s great to give them something positive to look up to.
“You change the mind and world of one individual and that’s huge, man,” he added. “You reach one person and that starts a spiral effect and starts to snowball. I think that’s the one thing as an athlete we should all focus on doing and that’s striving to give back in a positive manner.”
Duane Finley is a featured writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
Aljamain Sterling has been patiently waiting for his opportunity to shake up the UFC’s bantamweight division. And that’s exactly what he intends to do at UFC on Fox 15.
The highly touted 25-year-old Serra-Longo product has been eager to get back to wor…
Aljamain Sterling has been patiently waiting for his opportunity to shake up the UFC’s bantamweight division. And that’s exactly what he intends to do at UFC on Fox 15.
The highly touted 25-year-old Serra-Longo product has been eager to get back to work inside the Octagon, and his long wait will come to an end when he steps in against TakeyaMizugaki on April 18 in Newark, New Jersey. The Japanese veteran is as experienced as they come in the 135-pound ranks, and the fight will provide Sterling an excellent opportunity to take a big jump up the divisional hierarchy with a victory.
Nevertheless, the path he’s traveled between appearances on the sport’s biggest stage has come with plenty of twists and turns. The undefeated prospect’s most recent showing came at Fight Night 45 last July where “The Funk Master” finished scrappy Brazilian Hugo Viana via TKO in the third round to pick up his second consecutive victory under the UFC banner. He was next slated to face fellow up-and comer Mitch Gagnon three months later in Fairfax, Nova Scotia, but an injury forced Sterling to withdraw from the bout.
The Long Island native was then matched up with Frankie Saenz at Fight Night 55 on November 7, but after his opponent fell out due to injury and the UFC cancelled the contract of the man tapped to replace him, Sterling once again found himself playing the waiting game. Those circumstances would be enough to rattle a lesser fighter, but Sterling kept his composure throughout, and continued to hone his talents inside the gym.
He knew his time to shine would arrive before long and the upcoming bout with Mizugaki represents the opportunity he’s been waiting for. With the top tier in the bantamweight division experiencing a lull at the present time, Sterling knows an impressive victory over a proven talent in Mizugaki would go a long way toward helping him establish himself as a major threat in the 135-pound collective.
The highly energetic former wrestler turned mixed martial artist plans to make a huge statement at UFC on Fox 15 and get his 2015 campaign off to a memorable start.
“This division needs some funk, and on April 18 I’m going to bring it,” Sterling told Bleacher Report. “People want to see the ‘Funk Daddy’ and I’m going to give it to them. I’m coming in large and in charge. All 136 pounds of me and I’m coming to put on a show.
“This is a great opportunity and I’m excited for it. There is a lot of room in this division for someone to come up and make some noise and that’s what I’m aiming for. It’s the perfect time to go out there and shine. I’m going out there to put on an impressive performance and get a big win over a tough fighter like Mizugaki. He’s as game as they come and I can’t wait to get in the cage with him. A win in this fight would be a great way to start my year and I’m going to show everyone the Funk Master is back.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
Remember last week when we went apeshit over MMA sites purporting to have full-fight video highlights but not actually delivering?
In case you don’t remember, loads of site posted “full fight video highlights” of the fight between Mark Hunt and Roy Nelson. The only problem was the highlights were missing the most important part: The knockout.
The highlight video above is much better. While it cuts away right before the fight is stopped, it shows just enough of Conor McGregor‘s first-round KO of Dustin Poirier for you to get the idea of how it went down.
And do you know what else is awesome? Pretty much all the other “full fight video highlights” from UFC 178 are the same. They actually show the parts you want to see. Chalk up another victory for the Potato Nation. It seems our irreverence is finally starting to make a difference in the world of MMA SEO clickbaiting.
Watch the other highlights after the jump, and be sure to enjoy your 40-seconds of violence and anodyne commentary!
Remember last week when we went apeshit over MMA sites purporting to have full-fight video highlights but not actually delivering?
In case you don’t remember, loads of sites posted “full fight video highlights” of the fight between Mark Hunt and Roy Nelson. The only problem was the highlights were missing the most important part: The knockout.
The highlight video above is much better. While it cuts away right before the fight is stopped, it shows just enough of Conor McGregor‘s first-round KO of Dustin Poirier for you to get the idea of how it went down.
And do you know what else is awesome? Pretty much all the other “full fight video highlights” from UFC 178 are the same. They actually show the parts you want to see. Chalk up another victory for the Potato Nation. It seems our irreverence is finally starting to make a difference in the world of MMA SEO clickbaiting.
Here are some of the other highlights. Enjoy your 40-seconds of violence and anodyne commentary!
Takeya Mizugaki finds himself in much the same place as Dustin Poirier right now. Both men are well inside the top 10, and both were simply outclassed by superior opposition at UFC 178.
With Dominick Cruz coming back from a lengthy layoff, many ex…
Takeya Mizugaki finds himself in much the same place as Dustin Poirier right now. Both men are well inside the top 10, and both were simply outclassed by superior opposition at UFC 178.
With Dominick Cruz coming back from a lengthy layoff, many expected Mizugaki to keep the fight relatively competitive. Unfortunately, Cruz didn’t fight like a man making his first competitive appearance in almost three years. He overwhelmed his Japanese foe and ended the fight in a hurry.
Where does Mizugaki go from here? Read on for some potential future opponents for the 30-year-old.
Dominick Cruz made his long-awaited UFC return at UFC 178 on Saturday, and it could not have gone much better for him.
Within in a matter of seconds, Cruz clipped Takeya Mizugaki, took him down, landed ground-and-pound and got a lightning-fast st…
Dominick Cruz made his long-awaited UFC return at UFC 178 on Saturday, and it could not have gone much better for him.
Within in a matter of seconds, Cruz clipped Takeya Mizugaki, took him down, landed ground-and-pound and got a lightning-fast strike-stoppage victory. All that in a minute. All that after three years out of the cage.
It’s a storybook tale and one that should bring a smile to the face of any MMA fan (outside of those who had money riding on Mizugaki). So what did we learn?
Dominick Cruz Is Back!
So who saw that coming? Cruz winning was probable, sure. But coming back like that? Man…
In those 61 seconds, Cruz showed a fearlessness that I didn’t think was possible, leaping around on his cybernetic knee. He displayed solid wrestling and pop in his fists. That’s a lot, and it might be more than enough to beat T.J. Dillashaw right now. That’s easy to be happy about.
Raphael Assuncao Has the Worst Luck
Remember how Raphael Assuncao beat Dillashaw like six months ago? No? Well, neither does Sean Shelby, Dana White or Lorenzo Fertitta.
Assuncao was injured when Renan Barao vs. T.J. Dillashaw I was booked. He was blatantly passed over when a rematch was made (and then scrapped). He was forced into taking a dangerous fight against Bryan Caraway. Now, he might just be passed over again for a shot at the belt.
You just have to feel bad for the guy at this point. Sheesh, what awful luck.
Dillashaw Should Be Nervous
A potent wrestling game coupled with slick, stick-and-move boxing describes both Cruz and Dillashaw. But is Dillashaw “Cruz 2.0” or “Cruz Lite”? It’s hard to say before they face off, but Dillashaw should be more than a little bit nervous right now.
If 2011 Dominick Cruz was teleported to today, it’s very possible he would be the clear-cut No. 2 pound-for-pound best fighter in MMA. He had some of the slickest boxing, the best wrestling, the strongest clinch and the savviest jiu-jitsu in the game. It’s nothing short of tragic that he was forced to miss such a long time due to injuries.
The early indication, obviously, is that Cruz is as good as ever. If that is truly the case, Dillashaw might want to get as many pictures with the belt as possible. Cruz might just beat the memories of having it right out of him.
Mizugaki Is Still Legit
For all this gushing over Cruz, it’s worth reiterating that Mizugaki is still a legitimately skilled veteran and one of the all-time best 135-pound fighters. His five-fight winning streak included three ranked opponents and was the second-longest streak in the UFC at 135 pounds, behind only Assuncao.
While this was a crushing loss, Mizugaki should get nothing but respect. From the days where Miguel Torres was one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the game to when we were all wondering if Urijah Faber could become the WEC’s next two-division champion to the rise of Barao, Mizugaki has been right there at the top of the division.
This ends his UFC title hopes, quite frankly. Still, Mizugaki is a fighter worth raising a glass to.
It’s quite possible