With a career laden with injuries and a professional MMA record of 24-4-0, Dominick Cruz succeeded in not just winning the fights and the bantamweight championship belt, but also the fight fans’ hearts with his substantial performances. But following his shoulder injury, ‘The Dominator’ was forced to take a long leave from the Octagon. And this time it was permanent. Well, his last bout against Marlon Vera ended up in a loss, and he was truly looking forward to retiring with a win against Rob Font. But his shoulder got injured yet again and he had to retire without a fight. 

Nevertheless, the world of mixed martial arts wasn’t entirely a Cruz-free zone! He joined Jon Anik in the commentary team at UFC Vegas 103, and as the fights proceeded, Dana White and Co. sent forth a shoutout. The heartfelt wish went: “THANK YOU DOMINICK CRUZ. Domimnick Cruz Retires From Professional MMA.”

However, the famed MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani, wasn’t content with just the acknowledgement. He took to X to share his views and claimed that the UFC could have done so much better. He wrote, “That was a great package honoring Dominick Cruz. Kinda wish it also announced that he was going to be a part of the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame class, as well. But alas. That’s inevitable. Easiest of calls.”

But do you know what the UFC head honcho had to say about ‘The Dominator’s’ retirement? Of course, he wasn’t completely happy about having to let a phenomenal fighter go. But things weren’t really working in his favor too. Let’s see what Dana White had to say.

Dana White weighs in on Dominick Cruz’s retirement 

Following the fights at UFC 312, a reporter asked White for his views on Cruz’s retirement at the press conference. The UFC bossman wasted no time in praising the former bantamweight champion. He praised the kind of career that ‘The Dominator’ had in the UFC. And that’s the reason why White believed that he could still play a big role in the UFC. Well, that’s as a color commentator. 

But watching Cruz hang his gloves for good actually surprised White. He said, “Listen, I’m blown away that he’s hung in there as long as he did. Who has been more injured than this guy in his career? It’s fascinating. The mental drive to keep coming back and trying again and again and again after so many surgeries and so many injuries, you’ve got to give it to him. But, I’m glad he’s finally hung them up.”

And the former UFC bantamweight champion made his first appearance after retirement at the commentary booth at UFC Vegas 103. But that wasn’t the most shocking part of the story. He was, in fact, the only commentator on the microphone beside Jon Anik at the event. Quite an achievement, don’t you agree?

What are your thoughts on Helwani’s wish for Cruz’s shoutout? Do you think announcing him as a future Hall of Famer would have further cemented his legacy in the realm of mixed martial arts? Let us know what you think in the comments down below!