Tune Yadong grew up watching Dominick Cruz compete and grow to be one of many biggest bantamweights of all-time, and hoped that sooner or later he might combat the multi-time world champion. Sadly, that aim is off the desk.
Tune is ready to face one other former world champion in Henry Cejudo in the primary occasion of Saturday’s UFC Seattle card. Cruz was additionally scheduled to compete on the cardboard in opposition to Rob Font, however after struggling a shoulder harm, Cruz was scratched from the bout, earlier than subsequently saying his retirement from the game.
In fact, Cruz is well-known for his long-standing rivalry with Tune’s mentor and coach Urijah Faber, and with all of the respect the 27-year-old has for Cruz, he hoped to sooner or later share the octagon with him.
“I all the time wished to combat Dominick Cruz,” Tune advised MMA Combating. “Once I was youthful, I watched his fights on a regular basis. I cherished [watching him so much. I like his style, but I feel so bad he retired.”
Cruz was overwhelmed by injuries over his storied career, but ended up being a two-time UFC bantamweight champ. In just his second octagon appearance in nearly five years, Cruz defeated T.J. Dillashaw in the main event of UFC Fight Night 81 in January 2016 to regain the title. He would go on to defend the belt against Faber at UFC 199 before losing the title to Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207 in December 2016
The 39-year-old came back from another multi-year layoff to get another crack at the belt, but was stopped by Cejudo at UFC 249 in May 2020. “The Dominator” won two of his final three fights, but his final bout ended with a head-kick knockout loss to Marlon Vera at UFC San Diego in August 2022.
While Cruz has headlined, or co-headlined multiple events with high stakes in front of large crowds throughout his career, Song is excited to get his chance to compete in front of a large audience, and in a main event spot against the former two-division champion.
“Yeah, this a real main event for me with [a] crowd,” Tune mentioned. “I had [other main events] nevertheless it was all on the APEX with out a crowd.”
