Dominick Cruz: CM Punk Will Be "Eaten Alive" In UFC

The former bantamweight champ doesn't like Punk's chances.

Former Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, who had his title stripped by the UFC after being out for over two years with a number of injuries, returned to the octagon this fall with a stunning, fast, and brutal TKO of Takeya Mizugaki. Now lined up to be the next challenger for current champion T.J. Dillashaw, Cruz has a lot on his mind these days - and some of it, apparently, has to do with the UFC's signing of CM Punk. Cruz had a lot to say, and it's interesting to hear how the former champion has accepted the media game, and recognizes that the reasons the UFC signed Punk are legit, if ones not all fighters appreciate. Speaking to the media at UFC Fight Night 58 in Brazil, Cruz stated;
I can understand the mindset of it being disrespectful to the fighters who have put in so much time and energy, but if you think about it, it's not just about the fighting anymore. It's about this job right here (referring to the media). This is a part of being a Mixed Martial Artist. When these Mixed Martial Artists realize that I've got to stand up in front of a camera, I've got to speak well, I have to fill the seats by selling a fight, I think that they'll be less bitter and start understanding more. That's why CM Punk gets this opportunity. He speaks well. He's got this huge fanbase. Who knows how many people will come to see him either get beat up, or possibly win. If he wins, it could be one of the greatest things anyone could've ever seen, so why not give that a chance? Chances are, in my opinion, he's going to go out there and get waxed. That's what I think is going to happen. I think he is going to come into the UFC because we are the elite of the elite fighters, and he's going to get thrown in there and eaten alive by the guy he's fighting, because we're the real deal.
Cruz went on to say that should Punk win, he'd be eating his words, but either way, people will be watching. He's not wrong. The UFC knows that. Win or lose, success or failure, they stand to make big money when CM Punk steps into the octagon for the first time. That's not even taking into consideration merch sales and other forms of revenue the company can cash in on before Punk even has his first fight.
Contributor
Contributor

Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.