February 7, 2025 – The mixed martial arts world has bid farewell to one of its most respected and decorated figures, as Dominick Cruz, the former UFC bantamweight champion, has officially announced his retirement from professional fighting. The decision comes after an injury forced him out of UFC Fight Night 252, leaving the 39-year-old fighter to reflect on his storied career.
Cruz made the announcement Thursday on social media, penning a heartfelt message that conveyed both his pride in his achievements and the tough realization that his body could no longer keep up with the demands of the sport.
“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,” Cruz wrote. “But sometimes, the body just doesn’t cooperate.”
The announcement marks the end of a legendary career that saw Cruz rise to the top of the bantamweight division, cementing his place as one of the greatest to ever compete in the UFC. His retirement also brings an end to a career that was plagued by injuries, yet defined by his resilience and unparalleled technical skill.
Cruz’s UFC tenure was brief by many standards, with only 10 fights under the promotion’s banner. However, his impact on the sport is undeniable. A former WEC bantamweight champion, Cruz transitioned into the UFC as the first-ever bantamweight titleholder, defending the belt successfully against rivals like Urijah Faber and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. His reign was cut short by a devastating groin tear, followed by a second ACL tear, which led him to vacate his title.
The long road back from injury saw Cruz take on the best in the division, ultimately reclaiming the UFC bantamweight championship in 2016 with a split decision victory over T.J. Dillashaw. His victory over Faber in a trilogy bout solidified his status as one of the sport’s most talented and tenacious competitors.
However, his reign was eventually ended by Cody Garbrandt in 2016, and following another extended layoff from competition, Cruz returned in 2020 to challenge Henry Cejudo for the title. Despite his valiant efforts, Cruz was stopped by Cejudo via TKO, though he voiced strong disagreement with the referee’s stoppage.
After the Cejudo fight, Cruz managed to notch two back-to-back wins over Casey Kenney and Pedro Munhoz, but his journey came to an end when he suffered a brutal knockout at the hands of Marlon Vera in 2021. That fight, which ended in a vicious head kick, would turn out to be Cruz’s final bout.
Despite never competing as frequently as other fighters in his weight class, Cruz’s name is synonymous with the evolution of the bantamweight division. His technical prowess, ability to outsmart opponents, and unwavering dedication to his craft earned him the respect of both fans and peers.
His retirement leaves a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. Cruz’s accomplishments are likely to secure him a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame, and his influence on the sport will continue to resonate within the bantamweight division.
As the UFC prepares for its upcoming PPV event, UFC 312, in Sydney, Australia, the MMA community is reminded of Cruz’s impact on the sport, and fans will no doubt continue to celebrate his legendary career. UFC 312 will feature a middleweight showdown between former champion Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, along with the return of strawweight champion Zhang Weili as she faces Tatiana Suarez in a highly anticipated match.
UFC 312 kicks off at 6:00 PM ET, with the main card beginning at 10:00 PM ET, exclusively on ESPN+.