LAS VEGAS – Dominick Cruz isn’t perfect as a UFC cageside analyst, and he admits that, but he doesn’t skimp on preparation for each card he works.
The same can’t be said for another fellow former UFC champion who sometimes joins him on the desk – at least according to Cruz.
On Wednesday at UFC 269 media day, Cruz was asked about what the experience is like when he listens back to Daniel Cormier and other colleagues who call his fights. And while Cruz took the opportunity to rave about play-by-play commentator Jon Anik, he also roasted Cormier.
“I watch Anik do so much homework leading up to a fight,” Cruz told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC Apex. “People have no idea how much homework he has to do to be prepared for that, and the most kudos goes to him. He leads us in the broadcast with how he talks.”
“When it comes to DC, I usually mute it,” Cruz continued with a smirk. “I love DC, he’s my friend, but to me, from my experience, he doesn’t do the homework. He wants to get in and out, get the job done, make his money. And I think he cares about us, but it’s just different. He doesn’t do the preparation from my experience. He might now. I’m hoping he watches some film this time on my fight so he knows what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. But I’m not gonna hold my breath on that, that’s for sure.”
Cruz later explained why it’s important for him to spend time studying film of the fights that he calls.
“Honestly, I’m never perfect. There’s a roster of 400, 600 fighters, and not everybody’s agree with what I say either. It’s all perspective in there,” Cruz said. “And DC is a gifted athlete. I think (Michael) Bisping does a lot of homework. I think he watches a lot of film. I think certain people watch the film, and I count that because I do the film study.
“The reason I do the film study is (because) it’s bigger than me. I’m not in there talking to hear myself talk and to be right. I’m in there to support the athletes and talk about why they’re great and what makes them great, and in order to do that I need to watch film.”
Cruz, 36, returns to the cage Saturday on the UFC 269 prelims against Pedro Munhoz at T-Mobile Arena, looking to close out the year 2-0. The fight will air on ESPN and stream on ESPN+. The UFC 269 main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
Cormier will be on the call for Cruz’s fight.
Dominick Cruz says Daniel Cormier ‘doesn’t do the homework’ as UFC analyst
