Dominick Cruz

Date: 2017-02-23 | Duration: 2h 11m

Episode Overview

UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz joins Joe for a fascinating deep dive into the tactical mind of one of MMA's most analytical fighters. Cruz — famous for his unorthodox footwork and fight IQ — discusses the evolution of MMA styles and how every approach eventually has an answer, the experience of fighting through serious injuries while resisting surgery, and the psychological weight of establishing an undefeated record before suffering amateur losses. They analyze the emotional dynamics of the Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones rivalry — how DC's emotional investment in the fight became a factor — and discuss female fighters in the UFC. Cruz, who developed a sprint routine from Drew Fickett, shares his training philosophy and how he integrates multiple disciplines without defaulting to any single one.

About Dominick Cruz

Dominick Cruz is a distinguished mixed martial artist and former two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion, renowned for his unique fighting style and strategic acumen in the Octagon. With a professional career that includes notable victories over elite fighters, Cruz has solidified his legacy as one of the sport's greats. Beyond his accolades in the cage, he serves as a UFC Color Commentator and Analyst on FOX, bringing his extensive knowledge and insight into the sport to fans worldwide. Known for his resilience and ability to overcome adversity, Cruz's journey through injuries and comebacks makes him an inspiring figure in mixed martial arts. His engaging personality and articulate commentary further enhance his status as a prominent voice in the MMA community.

Key Moments

– UFC Bantamweight Championship and Fighting Style
– MMA Tactical Evolution and Stylistic Answers
– Fighting Through Injuries vs. Surgery
– DC vs. Jon Jones — Emotional Dynamics
– Sprint Training and Athletic Development
0:00:00 – Dominick Cruz inspects a Green Belly meal product
0:17:31 – Every style in MMA eventually has an answer — the fun of evolution
0:30:49 – Fighting the injury — not getting surgery and trying to rehab
1:04:30 – Sprint routine from Drew Fickett — early in his career
1:16:07 – DC vs. Jon Jones — emotional investment as a fight factor
2:05:29 – You must be what you are — winning and losing authentically

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 These are sick. It's like those MREs. Two, one, bam. Yeah, Dominic Cruz is sitting here and he's looking at this thing called Green Belly Meal, Meal to Go. The guy who created this is like this long distance hiker. Like he does those Starting point is 00:00:15 like, do you know that trail? What is it called? The Appalachian Trail that goes from... I know of it. You know of it? Yeah. What does it go from like Georgia to Maine or something crazy like that? And these people walk it. It takes like six Yeah. What does it go from like Georgia to Maine or something crazy like that? And these people walk it. It takes like six months. Yeah. I'm into stuff like that, but that's like a whole different part of your life I feel like you get to when you do stuff like that. Starting point is 00:00:35 Well, you got to have a real commitment because you're not doing anything but that for six months. Yeah. It's a different lifestyle change. Yeah. It's like a different time in your life I feel when you do something like that. Yeah. different lifestyle change yeah it's like a different time in your life i feel when you do something like that yeah but like being a fighter do you feel like like you're pretty limited as to what you can do outside of fighting you as far as like you're always recovering from training you're Starting point is 00:00:55 always involved in in something related to either promotion or preparation yeah agreed it's it's um i mean i'm not telling you anything you don't know. How many of these things have you done with pro athletes? I've done a lot. I've done a lot, yeah. You know that it's all or nothing. Yeah. Because everybody's so good that if you don't invest every ounce of yourself into something, Starting point is 00:01:18 there's somebody else that is, in my opinion. So it's like, you have to do that or else you get passed by. Yeah. is in my opinion so it's like you have to do that or else you get passed by yeah and you also feel l...

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #921?

Dominick Cruz was the guest on JRE #921. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #921?

On Joe Rogan Experience #921 with Dominick Cruz, topics include UFC Bantamweight Championship and Fighting Style, MMA Tactical Evolution and Stylistic Answers, Fighting Through Injuries vs. Surgery, and DC vs. Jon Jones — Emotional Dynamics.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #921?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #921 with Dominick Cruz is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.