Recently retired Dominick Cruz responded to his most heated rival who came out of retirement for a return to MMA.
The rivalry of Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber were the stage for the Bantam weights, including modern stars such as Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. Their three fights about two promotions created one of the most heated combinations in the MMA history, where Cruz got better from Faber in two of the three matchups.
Nine years since their trilogy, Faber returns to MMA in the brand new Global Fight League against former UFC title holder Renan Barao. It is Faber's first MMA fight since a loss for former UFC champion Petr Yan on UFC 245.
While Cruz embraces the opening weeks of MMA pension, he gave his two cents to his old opponent who tried a comeback to the cage.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Dominick Cruz endorses the 45-year-old MMA-backkeer van Urijah Faber
During a recent interview with the SchMO, Cruz weighed the return from Faber to MMA.
“He retired. But you see it with [Donald] Cerrone too, “said Cruz about Faber. 'You know that you're talking about the itching [to fight]right? I think the question is: is that the itch? Does it ever go away or do we find a way to fill it without fighting? Don't know.
“But Faber wants to come back there. He must think he's ready. So let him do it. (H/T MMA Knock -Out)
Despite the approval of Cruz, many fans are not so enthusiastic to see the return from Faber to MMA. The 45-year-old is one of a whole series of former UFC heights to announce their return to fight in the GFL, with matchups such as Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold.
Cruz announced his retirement after a planned fight in UFC Seattle had fallen through the injury. During the call at UFC Vegas 103 last Saturday, the UFC ravaged the legendary career of Cruz, albeit for a small crowd in the Apex.
Fans call on Dominick Cruz to enter the UFC Hall of Fame this summer
After announcing his retirement, Cruz is probably set for a UFC Hall of Fame induction, possibly as soon as this summer. The full UFC Hof -class of 2025 is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Cruz withdrew after several comebacks during his career due to injury, including his inspiring title win against TJ Dillashaw to reclaim the Bantamweight belt. Before a loss for Marlon Vera in August 2022, Cruz appeared on the CUSP of another title run with back-to-back victories on Casey Kenney and Pedro Munhoz.
Cruz is an MMA pioneer and one of the biggest ambassadors in sport. While he makes the full -time transition to broadcast, Cruz Faber and his other former rivals keep a close eye on the coming fights.
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