Dominick Cruz is hanging up his gloves.
Cruz was anticipated to return to motion after over two years out of the cage with a struggle scheduled towards Rob Font later this month at UFC Seattle; nevertheless, the previous bantamweight champion was pressured to withdraw from the bout because of harm. On Thursday, “The Dominator” introduced his retirement from MMA.
“To the followers worldwide,
“I’ve poured each ounce of myself into this sport for the final 25 years. I used to be actually looking forward to one last struggle however sadly, two shoulder dislocations in 8 months calls an finish to this man’s profession.
“I gave all the pieces I had and put it into preparation and coaching for this struggle —specializing in my cardio and my physique for the previous yr. However generally, the physique simply doesn’t cooperate.
“The ache isn’t as unhealthy now that my shoulder is again in place, however the second dislocation was much more sophisticated than the primary.
“This sport has been all the pieces to me—it’s helped to form who I’m.
“Thanks to the UFC for constructing this platform and paving the best way for fighters like myself and so many others. The UFC broke boundaries to set the stage not only for us as fighters. Additionally for each MMA sports activities group that adopted them throughout the bridge created all through politics to be able to enable our sport to happen LEGALLY in the US and now the world.
“I’m extremely grateful to everybody who booked tickets, motels, and flights to help me. Thanks all for being there by each second, each victory, and each problem. You’ve made this journey unforgettable. Thanks for the love and help. I’ll carry it with me all the time.
“With love,
“Dominick”
Cruz is a former WEC and UFC bantamweight champion and regarded by many as the best bantamweight of all time.
Regardless of his quite a few accomplishments, Cruz’s profession was additionally marred by accidents together with a number of surgical procedures for a torn ACL in his knee, a torn groin muscle, a damaged arm and now a pair of shoulder dislocations that prevented him from returning for one last struggle.
The lengthy layoffs because of harm in the end resulted in him initially vacating his UFC title in 2014, which got here after a virtually three yr lengthy absence from the cage.
Cruz lastly returned and reclaimed the belt in 2016, turning into the primary two-time champion in divisional historical past. He final competed at UFC San Diego the place he was knocked out by Marlon “Chito” Vera again in 2022. His total profession document stands at 24-4.
