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https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3159375/ufc-269-dominick-cruz-thanks-referee-marc Mixed Martial Arts
UFC 269: Dominick Cruz thanks referee Marc Goddard ‘for giving me a chance to rebound’ and beat Pedro Munhoz
- Former UFC bantamweight champ survives early scare to mount a big comeback and secure unanimous decision on undercard
- Cruz seems to dredge up controversial loss to Henry Cejudo, having been dropped in first round before rallying in rounds two and three
Dominick Cruz is declared the winner by unanimous decision against Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269. Photo: Stephen R Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz mounted an epic comeback on the undercard of Saturday’s UFC 269 event in Las Vegas.
The 36-year-old Cruz, widely considered the best bantamweight in MMA history, met Brazil’s Pedro Munhoz in the penultimate bout of the prelims.
Things looked dire for the American legend early, as he was dropped twice by his Brazilian rival in the first round. But in a display of veteran poise, the former champ rallied in rounds two and three, favouring a strategy based on volume, range, and plenty of his patented evasive movement.
In his post-fight interview with commentator Joe Rogan, Cruz (24-3) discussed the adversity he faced early in the match, noting that he did not even realise he’d been dropped by a punch.
“Honestly I thought I slipped, so I guess that tells you were I was at,” he said.
Cruz was last stopped in a 2020 title fight with Henry Cejudo. After that loss, he was vocal that the referee intervened too early.
After fighting through an early scare against Munhoz (19-7), he expressed his gratitude to referee Marc Goddard for giving him the opportunity to turn things around.
Dominick Cruz punches Pedro Munhoz during their bantamweight fight at UFC 269 event in Las Vegas, Nevada. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP
“Thank you to the ref Marc Goddard for giving me a chance to rebound,” he said.
With his win over Munhoz, Cruz is now on a two-fight streak. His next most recent win occurred at UFC 259 in March, when he defeated Casey Kenney by decision.
Heading into UFC 269, Cruz was already ranked No 9 at bantamweight. Having beaten Munhoz, who was ranked No 8 ahead of the card, he can anticipate a slight climb, and beyond that, more big fights in the division he once ruled.