“You don’t throw combinations, you don’t mix things up, you throw one punch at time, you’re one kick at a time, you go for a guillotine, you’re an overhand right, you’re straight with the left hook – I could go all day breaking your fights down, I’ve been doing it for years… I know how I mix things up, I know the things I’m good at and I know I’m better than him. It doesn’t matter how many fights he’s had because the ones that could have gotten him a title, he lost… Anybody in the top-5, he lost, or anybody in the top-3, he lost – I’m the champion. I’m the best in this division and I always will be. He’s not going to be able to compete with me. I’m going to put a clinic on him just like I did last time.”
-Dominick Cruz belittles Urijah Faber during a media conference call for UFC 199 this week (transcribed by MMAJunkie.com).
Penick’s Analysis: It’s a stretch to say Cruz put on a clinic on Faber the last time around; he got knocked down multiple times and came close to losing that decision. Still, he’s come back to still compete at an elite level, while Faber’s had a noticeable decline in his last several performances despite winning. Cruz may very well win this rubber match easily, much easier than in the rematch five years ago, but it’s going to be a different fight for any number of reasons. Cruz is extremely technical, smart, and able to break things down, but even with that Faber is not an easy out.
[Photo (c) Bob DeChiara via USA Today Sports]
Attention iPhone/iPad and Android users, if you’ve enjoyed our app in the past and followed us there, or if you’ve never checked it out, make sure to update to the latest version in the Apple store and/or Google Play store. We’ve launched a new look for the app, in line with our recent desktop overhaul. Make sure to check it out!
For current App users, swipe right to view next article, swipe left to view previous article.
Leave a Reply