Appreciative Dominick Cruz Wishes for Better Treatment During All Fight Weeks

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If former Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz had his way, all future fight weeks would be conducted like this one.

A hoodie-clad Cruz sat down in front of the media station for the UFC Virtual Media Day on Thursday, while wearing a bandana instead of the standard mask like fighters before him. Although he physically appeared to be suffering from his weight cut, and his voice dry and cracking from dehydration, the former champ was still in good spirits ahead of his bantamweight championship encounter with Henry Cejudo.

“We’re treated like royalty,” he exclaimed. The UFC, venue and hotel staff have made it a point to be extra accommodating to the fighters, offering them each individual training areas as well as portable saunas for weight cuts. The staff is on call 24/7 to clean any place for fighters, and the UFC Performance Institute is available for most services beyond massages and flushes.

Cruz continued, “I think this is how it should always be, not just during the coronavirus.” The availability of the staff, and the treatment of the fighters is something that Cruz is applauding. “It’s not just attention. Everybody’s nicer, more attentive…more interested in [service].” He went on to say that he had never experienced a fight week quite like this one.

In the interest in keeping everyone “corona-free,” the staff is providing extra care and Cruz prefers it this way. “We’re just getting treated with a ton of attention. It’s nice to be respected.”

Once finished lavishly praising the promotion and lamenting that every fight week should be handled in the same fashion, Cruz moves on to a very popular topic: his condition. “I’m thankful for food and water,” he admitted. Lips chapped from his hard weight cut on short notice, his face appears somewhat gaunt. “I could jump into [the lake] butt naked…and drink the entire lake. It creates a thankfulness for the little things.”

Cruz has been away from active competition since facing Cody Garbrandt for the title at UFC 207 in December 2016. Since losing the decision to Garbrandt, “The Dominator” suffered a litany of injuries including a severe bout of plantar fascia tendinitis, a broken arm and a major shoulder injury. The lengthy layoff has given Cruz ample time to recover, and he believes he is fully healed.

“I was just shooting stem cells into my body,” he elaborated. In addition, he commented that his shoulder and knees feel better than ever. Also, his hands, which have been broken and injured over the years, are “completely rebuilt.”

Despite his condition, Cruz would prefer not to take damage in his bout with Cejudo. Many fighters, including his opponent on the same day, frequently claim that they are ready for the fight no matter where it takes place or how long it lasts. Cruz strongly disagrees, and believes his best fight is one where he does not get struck.

“I’m going for the finish,” Cruz said. “Every single one of us wants to walk in there and do what [Jorge] Masvidal did [to Ben Askren at UFC 239]. If I can go in there and not have you lay a finger on me, that’s what I would do.” He further said with a laugh, “I don’t want you to touch me. Don’t touch me at all.”

In terms of deserving a title shot after a lengthy layoff while coming off of a one-sided defeat, Cruz paid it no mind. “I’ve cleared out the bantamweight division. I was ranked number one pound-for-pound for six months.” He went on to say that when he lost his top spot, the man that moved ahead him was Demetrious Johnson, “and I smoked him.” To further his case for what makes him different from other contenders, he simply stated, “all my fights are title fights.”

When it comes to fighting Cejudo, Cruz concluded that some analysts have mentioned that they should not “sleep on” Cruz. In response to those that feel Cruz is overlooking his opponent or any others, he laughed off this claim. “How dumb do you think I am to overlook anyone, ever,” he asked with a wry grin.

UFC 249 goes down at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida. Headlining the UFC’s return will be an interim lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. The co-main event will see Cruz try to win the bantamweight belt back against Cejudo.