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Two-time UFC champion announces retirement after missing out on last dance

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Chris De Santiago | Last updated Feb 7, 2025 7:00 AM ET

If you know Dominick Cruz, you know injuries have played their part in his career.

They had their say in the former UFC bantamweight champion's retirement as well, preventing him from one last fight against Rob Font at UFC Seattle this month.

Following multiple ACL tears and surgeries, Cruz withdrew from what would've been his 29th fight as a pro a few weeks ago. On Thursday, the 39-year-old announced this was the final straw in a career that's definitely had its bumps and bruises.

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Dominick Cruz reveals key factor for beating UFC Champion Merab Dvalishvili

Cruz Issues Retirement Speech

Cruz is retiring from MMA - his final fight a loss to Marlon "Chito" Vera in August 2022 in his home state of California.

"To the fans worldwide, I have poured every ounce of myself into this sport for the last 25 years," Cruz wrote on X. "I was really hopeful for one final fight but unfortunately, two shoulder dislocations in 8 months calls an end to this guy’s career."

"I gave everything I had and put it into preparation and training for this fight —focusing on my cardio and my body for the past year. But sometimes, the body just doesn’t cooperate. The pain isn’t as bad now that my shoulder is back in place, but the second dislocation was far more complicated than the first. This sport has been everything to me—it's helped to shape who I am.

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"The Dominator" Leaves An Incredible Legacy

Coming back from insurmountable injuries time and time again, Cruz built himself back up, becoming a champion once more against a prime TJ Dillashaw in 2016. Cruz held the WEC and UFC titles, going undefeated from 2008 to the end of 2016.