H. Cejudo (left) and D. Cruz (right) in action for UFC 249. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @dominickcruz
Former Ultimate Champion, Dominick Cruz has not yet digested the defeat suffered by Henry Cejudo in the bantamweight belt dispute (up to 61,2kg.), in the UFC 249. In the fight, held last Saturday (9), in Jacksonville (USA), the division icon ended up defeated by knockout at the end of the second round, but, instead of accepting the setback, he preferred to make harsh criticisms and accusations against referee Keith Peterson .
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“Sometimes I wish there was a way to hold these referees a little more accountable. The guy smelled like alcohol and cigarettes. So who knows what he was doing? I would like them to undergo toxicology tests. When I saw it, I wondered if there was a way to veto a referee and bring in a new one. Do we fighters have that choice? I wish we had”, said Cruz in an interview after the show.
In the confrontation against Cejudo, Dominick would have the chance to regain his belt three years after his fateful defeat to cody garbrandt. The athlete, however, found in Henry an opponent who, despite being irreverent, presents himself with a different talent in the sport.
“Obviously, I'm not happy about the fight being stopped, because I specifically asked the referee to leave me until I got out and stood up. If I stayed down I would understand, but I was working on getting up. I was aware of what was happening. I take my hat off to Henry, there are no excuses”, he concluded.
After the confrontation, Cejudo surprised the public by announcing his retirement from the sport. The champion's absence could suggest a new opportunity for Cruz to play for the title in the future, if he decides to continue performing.
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