If anyone knows Dominick Cruz, it’s Urijah Faber. The two rivals are 1-1 through two title fights, one for the WEC featherweight title that Faber won, and another for the UFC bantamweight title in which Cruz was victorious. They coached opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter, and were set to fight once more for the bantamweight strap until Cruz was injured in training and tore his ACL up like confetti. Fast forward nearly a year later, and the cadaver ACL in Cruz’s leg gets rejected, and the champ is on the shelf once again for an undetermined amount of time.
Now it’s been 18 months since Dominick Cruz last defended his title, and you have to wonder if some of the casuals have actually forgotten about Cruz. Renan Berao has defended his interim title twice — as many times as Cruz has defended his title — and some are calling for Cruz to be stripped. Dana White has even mentioned possible retirement for Cruz.
But Urijah Faber, he of so many battles with Cruz, is in his metaphorical corner for this verbal war. He wants Cruz to keep the belt that is rightfully his.
“I don’t feel like he should be stripped of the belt. The guy’s earned it. Part of the reason why he’s injured is because he puts it all out there and hits like a weirdo, but he throws punches anyways. I wouldn’t count the guy out. I don’t think they should strip him of the title…. He’s still, in my opinion, considered the champion. I don’t think you strip a guy of the belt. I would be pissed if they stripped me of the belt.”
He makes a point, but how long will it be until Cruz comes back?
