Dominick Cruz has officially retired from MMA after a second shoulder injury ended his plans for one final fight. The former UFC bantamweight champion shared his decision in a heartfelt post on social media.
A Dream of One Last Fight
Cruz had been hoping for one final fight, but the injury setbacks proved too much to overcome.
“To the fans worldwide, I have poured every ounce of myself into this sport for the last 25 years,” Cruz wrote. “I was really hopeful for one final fight but unfortunately, two shoulder dislocations in 8 months calls an end to this guy’s career.”
Cruz, 39, had been working hard to make a return, focusing on his cardio and overall physical condition. However, despite his best efforts, his body just couldn’t hold up.
“I gave everything I had and put it into preparation and training for this fight—focusing on my cardio and my body for the past year. But sometimes, the body just doesn’t cooperate,” he shared.
A Legendary Career in the Bantamweight Division
Cruz’s career was one of the most unique in MMA. Before joining the UFC, he became the WEC bantamweight champion and helped elevate the division. When the WEC folded, Cruz was a natural fit for the UFC’s bantamweight class. He became the first UFC bantamweight champion, defending his title successfully against fighters like Urijah Faber and Demetrious Johnson.
However, injuries kept derailing his reign. Cruz had to vacate his title due to a groin tear, followed by a series of ACL injuries that kept him out of the octagon for long periods.
After years of recovery, Cruz made a powerful return in 2016, reclaiming the title by defeating T.J. Dillashaw in a close decision. But injuries continued to haunt him throughout his career.
The Final Years and Farewell
Cruz’s last competition was at UFC San Diego in 2022, where he suffered a knockout loss to Marlon “Chito” Vera. That defeat marked the end of his MMA journey. Cruz’s career record stands at 24-4, a testament to his skill and resilience in the octagon.
“The pain isn’t as bad now that my shoulder is back in place, but the second dislocation was far more complicated than the first,” Cruz explained. “This sport has been everything to me—it’s helped to shape who I am.”
Despite the struggles, Cruz has no regrets about his career and is deeply grateful for everything MMA has given him.
In his message, Cruz also expressed his gratitude to the UFC, the organization that gave him a platform to showcase his talents.
“Thank you to the @ufc for building this platform and paving the way for fighters like myself and so many others,” he said.
He also thanked his loyal fans for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who booked tickets, hotels, and flights to support me. Thank you all for being there through every moment, every victory, and every challenge. You’ve made this journey unforgettable.”
With that, Cruz’s chapter in MMA comes to a close. His legacy as one of the sport’s finest bantamweight fighters will not be forgotten, and he leaves behind a mark that has shaped the future of the division.
