Song Yadong cresceu assistindo Dominick Cruz competir e se tornar um dos maiores pesos-pesos de todos os tempos, e esperava que um dia ele pudesse lutar contra o campeão mundial de várias vezes. Infelizmente, esse objetivo está fora da mesa.
A música está programada para enfrentar outro ex -campeão mundial em Henry Cejudo no evento principal do cartão UFC Seattle do UFC. Cruz também estava programado para competir no cartão contra Rob Font, mas depois de sofrer uma lesão no ombro, Cruz foi arranhado da luta, antes de anunciar posteriormente sua aposentadoria do esporte.
É claro que Cruz é bem conhecido por sua rivalidade de longa data com o mentor e treinador de Song, Urijah Faber, e com todo o respeito que o jovem de 27 anos tem para Cruz, ele esperava um dia compartilhar o octógono com ele.
“Eu sempre quis lutar contra Dominick Cruz”, disse Song ao MMA Fighting. “Quando eu era mais jovem, assisti suas brigas o tempo todo. Eu amei [watching him so much. I like his style, but I feel so bad he retired.”
Cruz was overwhelmed by injuries over his storied career, but ended up being a two-time UFC bantamweight champ. In just his second octagon appearance in nearly five years, Cruz defeated T.J. Dillashaw in the main event of UFC Fight Night 81 in January 2016 to regain the title. He would go on to defend the belt against Faber at UFC 199 before losing the title to Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207 in December 2016
The 39-year-old came back from another multi-year layoff to get another crack at the belt, but was stopped by Cejudo at UFC 249 in May 2020. “The Dominator” won two of his final three fights, but his final bout ended with a head-kick knockout loss to Marlon Vera at UFC San Diego in August 2022.
While Cruz has headlined, or co-headlined multiple events with high stakes in front of large crowds throughout his career, Song is excited to get his chance to compete in front of a large audience, and in a main event spot against the former two-division champion.
“Yeah, this a real main event for me with [a] multidão ”, disse Song. “Eu tive [other main events] Mas estava tudo no ápice sem uma multidão. ”
