Dominick Cruz demands a fight for the belt: 'I earned that right'

Cruz wants to fight for the bantamweight belt again (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

Former UFC bantamweight champion (up to 61kg), Dominick Cruz wants to return to the top of the division. Without fighting since December 2016, when he was dethroned by cody garbrandt at UFC 207, the North American guaranteed that his goal is to return to the octagon only in a new title fight against the champion, which will be defined at UFC 213, between Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw. According to him, his achievements qualify him for the position of next challenger.

See too

Dominick Cruz believes in Garbrandt's victory over Dillashaw

Former champion Cruz disdains Brazilian and aims to fight for the belt

Former champion Cruz provokes Cody Garbrandt: 'Only talking about me'

“I want to come back and fight for the title. That's my goal. Against Cody, I was never committed to the fight. There were five rounds and I want this new chance. That's what I'm looking for and I'm more focused than ever. I want to face the winner of TJ Dillashaw x cody garbrandt and I think that's what the fans want too. I'm here to face the best in the world, fight for the belt and I think I've earned that right. If I had been knocked out or submitted in my last fight, I would understand not having this new chance. But I stayed for five rounds and, therefore, I deserve something after this fight between Cody and Dillashaw, against any of them”, stated Dominick, in an interview with the program 'The MMA Hour'.

If Cruz's wish is accepted, the next fight for the bantamweight title will be a rematch, as he has also faced Dillashaw, whom he beat on points and regained the belt. For the 'Dominador', as he is known, no other fighter than him deserves a shot at the strap.

“I told Sean Shelby my plans and he said he wasn’t sure if it would be a good thing. But I'm saying this is what needs to happen at bantamweight. I mean, there are three people in this division that people know: me, TJ and Cody. And the reason for that is I fought these two guys. I talked about them. And I made these fights happen, giving them a lot of shine. The mix of the three of us resulted in this and I think we could fight for 10 years and we would always have good fights. For me, fighting for the belt is what would make the most sense. It makes no sense for me to take someone from the bottom of the division. I’m the number one challenger,” he concluded.