Dominick Cruz believes he knows the source behind his upcoming opponent, Marlon “Chito” Vera’s, volatility toward him.
Having wanted to square off with the former two-time UFC bantamweight champion for quite some time now, Vera hasn’t been shy to voice his feelings. Claiming Cruz has avoided a fight with him, Vera finally gets his wish as the two will meet in the main event of UFC San Diego on Aug. 13, where Vera fully expects to walk through “The Dominator.”
Cruz doesn’t believe Vera is lying to him.
“When he talks about Vera and all that he said, it’s hard to believe he meant them,” Cruz stated to The Schmo . “He does, but he just wants to be heard. He’s a guy that just wants people to hear him because look at what he did to Sean O’Malley and nobody said a thing about him. Nobody cares that he won that fight. He’s just tired of being ignored because people don’t really care that much about him. When he wins, nobody says anything. He’s trying to get heard, so he says whatever he can. I don’t know.
“But, it all comes down to this: When he wins after that fight. I have seen him in his back. We’ve also worked together. He’s great. This guy is not my beef so I am neutral. He’s obviously very angry about something. I think he just wants to be heard and for people to care about him.”
Cruz and Vera have both gained some quality momentum with two wins in 2021 — Vera’s streak consisting of a third that came against Rob Font earlier this year.
In an ever-talented 135-pound weight class, the combination of legends, former champions, and hot rising stars is arguably better than any other division in the sport. Vera has fought twice before Cruz, and both times had mixed results.
First, Vera suffered a unanimous decision defeat when meeting former featherweight kingpin, Jose Aldo, in Dec. 2020. After a rebound win over Davey Grant, Frankie Edgar was knocked out in the third round by Frankie Edgar at Madison Square Garden. Cruz focused on the former as an advantage in their matchup and emphasized that he will win.
“Just look at him beating Frankie Edgar until he was tired beating him.,” Cruz stated. “You were losing that fight until Frankie Edgar got tired, I won’t get tired. That’s .”
.
Incidentally, Edgar shared with us that he is looking for one more hurrah, in the same arena and against Cruz, his former champion. Despite the upward trajectory he’s been on since his last loss in May 2020, the San Diego, California native wouldn’t be opposed to it.
” I wouldn’t turn down Frankie Edgar. He’s an icon in this sport,” Cruz stated. “That guy, he’s done a lot. It’s amazing to think about how much he has accomplished. You get these up-and-coming people that you don’t really know. So, over the years, he wants to be able to defeat someone he knows, and that will attract more attention. He’s been here for years, I have been there for many, so I understand where it came from. Me and Frankie have always been cool so I’ve got no beef with him.”
TOP STORIES
Absurd. Jon Jones fires back at ‘Tiny’ Curtis Blaydes: ‘Bro you literally sound ridiculous’
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Rude. Darren Till explains why he won’t be cornering Chris Curtis at UFC London: ‘It would be disrespectful’
Confidence. Sean O’Malley calls his shot against Petr Yan at UFC 280: ‘I’m better than Petr, and I truly believe that’
War. Matt Schnell can only recall a few details of the dramatic comeback victory over Sumudaerji in UFC Long Island
VIDEO STEW
A historic Between the Links.
Blaydes vs Aspinall – Absolute Madness
UFC London
Paddy Pimblett & Molly McCann Take on No MMA Questions
Weigh Ins | Bellator 283: Lima vs. Jackson
THE TOP JASON JACKSON HIGHLIGHTS
LISTEN UP
Heck Of A Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses what happens if Nate Diaz beats Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279?
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Beach season.
Shui Zhao haXian idesu. #hawaii#Waikikibeach pic.twitter.com/yffZ1xq9T1
— Kana WatanabexDu Bian Hua Nai (@kanawatanabe821) July 21, 2022
Nice.
Pants update. No bag yet. I bought a pair pants. That’s all.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 21, 2022
You too!
Have a great day!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 21, 2022
Hmm…
Is this the first time in history? pic.twitter.com/q2LqTDN56C
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) July 21, 2022
Where?!
WHERE THE FUCK HAVE ALL THE MEAL DEALS GONE
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) July 21, 2022
Impossible.
Saw the Lions win a game once https://t.co/9hSq4TEziS
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) July 21, 2022
Yes.
8 Seconds. [*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************] Seconds. #TBT
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) July 21, 2022
We see you, Francis…
Back on the pads. Step by step @DeweyCooper @gymshark pic.twitter.com/T8T0gJwPTD
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 21, 2022
Unamused.
Jon doesn’t have one punch knockout power or five round championship experience, that’s why he’ll lose to Stipe. Bro you literally sound ridiculous
— BONY (@JonnyBones) July 21, 2022
Focus on your fight this weekend Tiny, you’ve been rooting against me for years now. You are my friend. Hating on me won’t propel you into being a champion. Less hate, more work
— BONY (@JonnyBones) July 21, 2022
Preview time.
@danhardymma previews the #UFCLondon main event between Curtis Blaydes and Tom Aspinall pic.twitter.com/hjF387fQLI
— bet365 US (@bet365_us) July 21, 2022
Advice.
Hey @SugaSeanMMA, I thought we were going to fight? But I get it, @PetrYanUFC is a more winnable opponent for you.
Here’s some free advice Ronald MethDonald I think you have a chance to win if you use your grappling
Full breakdown on my YouTube: https://t.co/ZktUYY56Ew pic.twitter.com/Md7hKMArQu
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 21, 2022
Why must you yell? https://t.co/PZhEBQjrAe
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 21, 2022
Bows.
Volkanovski’s favorite elbow pic.twitter.com/eUqISRvdUZ
— FiggyTwoTimes (@Wangchanboi) July 22, 2022
I guess we’ll never know………
Here’s a clip of Chris Curtis destroying some delusional street fighter who says he’s 200-0 and said could’ve KOd a Chris after sparring him #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/WUelbcQ5rT
— Flu Flammin Guram (@FluFlammerMMA) July 21, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Michael Morales (13-0) vs. Adam Fugitt (8-2); UFC 277, July 30
Johnny Walker (18-7) vs. Ion Cutelaba (16-7-1); UFC 279, Sept. 10
Jessica Delboni (12-3) vs. Jillian DeCoursey (5-3); Invicta FC 49, Sept. 28
Zubaira Tukhugov (20-5-1) vs. Lucas Almeida (11-1); UFC 280, Oct. 22
Marina Rodriguez (16-1-2) vs. Amanda Lemos (12-2-1); UFC 280, Oct. 22
FINAL THOUGHTS
Dom vs. Frankie is the only reason it makes sense at this point. Come on, Dana.
Happy Friday! Enjoy the weekend and thank you for reading!
EXIT POLL
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