Dominick Cruz, the first man to ever hold the UFC bantamweight title, has announced his retirement from the sport with immediate effect.
39-year-old Cruz (24-2 MMA, 7-3 UFC) had been scheduled to face Rob Font in the co-main event at UFC Seattle on February 22nd in what he had referred to as "one last dance" inside the Octagon but, as has unfortunately been the case so many times throughout his career, injuries intervened to force the former champion's hand.
"To the fans worldwide", Cruz wrote in a post on Instagram, "I have poured every ounce of myself into this sport for the last 25 years. I was really hopeful for one final fight but unfortunately, two shoulder dislocations in 8 months calls an end to this guy's career.
"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.
"The pain isn't as bad no that my shoulder is back in place, but the second dislocation was far more complicated than the first.
"This sport has been everything to me - it's helped to shape who I am.
"Thank you to the UFC for building this platform and paving the way for fighters like myself and so many others. The UFC broke barriers to set the stage not just for us as fighters. also for every mma sports organization that followed them across the bridge created throughout poilitics in order to allow our sport to take place LEGALLY in the United States and now the world.
"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. Thank you for the love and support. I will carry it with me always.
"With love, Dominick".
Former WEC champion Cruz became the inaugural UFC bantamweight champion when the 2 organizations merged in 2010. After defending his belt inside the Octagon, a disastrous sequence of injuries resulted in him being sidelined for an extended period, and stripped of the title as a result.
He returned to eventually recalim the title by beating TJ Dillashaw in January of 2016, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest champions in the modern era.
His career has been punctuated by extended absences from the Octagon, and had he made it to the fight against Rob Font in Seattle later this month, it would have been 923 days since his last appearance under the lights.
As an established member of the UFC commentary team, Cruz will remain front and center, continuing to be regarded as one of the sport's most important voices. However, for fans of a certain vintage, 'The Dominator' will primarily be remembered as one of the most unique, exciting, and resilient fighters to ever grace the Octagon.
