After nearly four years away, former WEC and UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz returned to the cage at UFC 249. Quite frankly, we held our breath until they closed the door behind him. Facing the improbable task of dethroning Henry Cejudo after such a lengthy layoff, Cruz was in for quite a night.
It didn’t last nearly as long as he’d planned. A kick that wound up more of a knee put the former champ on his backside late in the second round. Cejudo moved in for the kill, swarming with punches. It looked, however, like Cruz was doing his best to escape, work his way up.
The ref felt otherwise, much to Cruz’s chagrin. Though he’d later admonish the ref and protest the stoppage, Henry Cejudo had defeated another all-time great. The King of Cringe had another highlight… and then, he announced he was stepping away from the sport.
That came completely out of left field. Whether this is a real retirement, a negotiating ploy (as Michael Bisping later suggested), or just a publicity stunt from the King of Cringe remains to be seen.
For now, see how the pros reacted to Cejudo’s win, and announcement, below.
Rivalries and whatever aside, Cruz has some of the coolest footwork in the sport ever. #UFC249
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) May 10, 2020
Looks like we have ourselves a fight #ufc249
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 10, 2020
Dominick Cruz's mentality is next level. Proving once again cage rust isn't a thing.. #UFC249
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) May 10, 2020
A lot of you won’t understand this.
But fuck it’s masterful!— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) May 10, 2020
I feel like that awkward style is starting to work for Cruz
— Randa Markos (@randamma) May 10, 2020
Head’s Up!
UGH headbutt… Cmon
— Fight Island (@Benaskren) May 10, 2020
Shit !! Head butt
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) May 10, 2020
The Stoppage
Shit cunt ref. What a joke
— Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) May 10, 2020
Not so sure about that stoppage #UFC249
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) May 10, 2020
Shoulda let him go on…#replay
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) May 10, 2020
Wow I know lots will say too early, but I dont have an issue with that stoppage.
— Fight Island (@Benaskren) May 10, 2020
Damn!! He got caught but it’s a championship fight and you gotta let him fight his way out! #UFC249
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) May 10, 2020
Damn! I wanted to see more #UFC249
— Randa Markos (@randamma) May 10, 2020
early stoppage?
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) May 10, 2020
I dont care what you say taking 12 straight punches is not intelligent defense!
— Fight Island (@Benaskren) May 10, 2020
Man @HenryCejudo is on simply an amazing run right now. Congrats.
— michael (@bisping) May 10, 2020
Yeah after the replay …. it’s arguable 🤦🏾♂️ #ufc249
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) May 10, 2020
Add another goat to the list hate him or love him cejudo is a beast #ufc249
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 10, 2020
Honestly, what do you expect when a guy has 4 years OFF, when the talent pool is constantly growing and improving their skills by actively fighting the best in the world?! Cruz is the GOAT at Bantamweight, but time has passed him by.
Hey, you don’t gotta agree with me. #UFC249— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 10, 2020
Ha Dom told the ref ‘you fucked up’ lol. Love ya Dom.
— Robin Black (@robinblackmma) May 10, 2020
14 unanswered strikes on a fighters hands and knees. Man hard to say early stoppage
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) May 10, 2020
Man the man’s a beast tho. Hespeck!
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) May 10, 2020
Early stoppage, gotta let that fight go into the 3rd round Cruz was hurt but not out
— Curtis Blaydes (@RazorBlaydes265) May 10, 2020
It’s not the championship level fight #ufc249
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) May 10, 2020
There is only one person who can stop @HenryCejudo 😎 #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/RIeAiREQy2
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) May 10, 2020
Wait, what?!?
Early stoppage and early retirement in one fight 🤔 #ufc249
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) May 10, 2020
I know about fake retirements better then anyone #UFC249
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) May 10, 2020
Congratulations on a great career @HenryCejudo
— sheldon westcott (@sheldonwestcott) May 10, 2020
It’s your time now @cors_life https://t.co/CM4IflqDHc
— Curtis Blaydes (@RazorBlaydes265) May 10, 2020
Retirement? Bad stoppage? 😲 #UFC249
— Marion Reneau (@BelizeanBruiser) May 10, 2020
The best contract negotiation ever 😂
— michael (@bisping) May 10, 2020
Happy retirement @HenryCejudo Congrats on an incredibly impressive career. #UFC249
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) May 10, 2020
How can you not love that man and what he’s done. Congratulations @HenryCejudo what a career👏🏿👏🏿 #UFC249
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) May 10, 2020
