San Diego, CA — Saturday’s UFC San Diego main event between Dominick Cruz and Marlon Vera is both a big fight for the bantamweight division, and a first for the promotion.
In particular, it’s the first time two active UFC commentators will face off inside the octagon. Cruz is well known for taking part in UFC broadcasts; “Chito” Vera works the Spanish announce table for the promotion.
Cruz (24-3), a former WEC and UFC bantamweight champ, wasn’t getting caught up in that little bit of history during Wednesday’s media day. “Man, two guys in suits,” Cruz told Cageside Press. “Alright, let’s go. Sounds like Anchorman.”
The Alliance MMA athlete isn’t a big fan of working the broadcast booth for fights in his own division, and wasn’t sure if Vera had called any of his own fights. “I don’t keep track. I let people say what they’re going to say. I can’t control that,” he stated. “I don’t make the rules, I just show up and fight.”
Cruz himself, however, has called some of Vera’s bouts, he confirmed. “Yeah I have, against my will,” he noted. “I don’t really like calling the fights of the guys in my division, because obviously they probably get a little annoyed by what I’m saying. But the producer likes to put me there. He likes to get me in those positions where it’s like— I think it creates some buzz when I’m there. But I’ve asked to not be there if I can help it sometimes.”
Last December, Cruz had a brief, public spat with Daniel Cormier after “The Dominator” accused his broadcast partner of not watching tape. On that front, Cruz said Wednesday that he doesn’t believe anything has changed.
“Doubt it. Doubtful. But again, I’m learning to let go of control. DC is going to do DC. He’s good. I call him the ‘Golden Fluffer.’ He’s like, whatever you want to hear, he will say it, and he will make you love him. That’s his gift, the gift of gab.”
Watch the full UFC San Diego media day scrum with Dominick Cruz above. The event takes place this Saturday, August 13, 2022 at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.
