UFC CEO Dana White has expressed full support for Dominick Cruz’s decision to retire, praising the former champion for his perseverance through years of injuries.
Cruz, 39, was set to face Rob Font on 22 February in his farewell fight but was forced to withdraw due to a serious shoulder injury. He then announced his retirement from the sport.
Writing on his Instagram account, Cruz thanked the UFC and mentioned that "This sport has been everything to me—it’s helped to shape who I am."
The former UFC and WEC bantamweight champion endured multiple layoffs throughout his career, yet still built a legacy that could earn him a UFC Hall of Fame spot.
“I’m blown away that he hung in there as long as he did,” White said after UFC 312. “Who’s been more injured than this guy? The mental drive to keep coming back after so many surgeries is incredible. But I’m glad he finally hung it up.”
Cruz, who turns 40 on 9 March, has already secured a post-fight career as a UFC commentator, analyst, and coach at the UFC Performance Institute in Mexico.
“When you have the experience and career he’s had, and you can sit in the booth and talk fights, it’s awesome,” White said. “He’ll have a great career after his career.”
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