Let us tell you a mind-boggling yet grim fact about Dominick Cruz’s career. Since joining the UFC back in 2011 and till the canceled Rob Font bout, the first-ever UFC bantamweight kingpin has had 4 major layoffs that have extended 300 days. This sums up to 3715 days spent on the sidelines. And that too in his absolute prime! In other words, Cruz has spent around 10 years, 2 months, and 1 day on the sidelines since joining the promotion nearly 14 years ago.

The reason? A litany of injuries that included three torn ACLs, a torn quad, complemented by a history of shoulder issues, which eventually led to his retirement, even before an ultimate farewell. And it seems that the tale hasn’t really changed for perhaps the greatest 135fer in UFC history. After two decades of dancing through danger inside the cage, ‘The Dominator’ now fights a different opponent: rehab. And recently, Cruz gave fans a glimpse of his newest challenge, the long road to recovery after yet another time going under the knife.

In a post on his Instagram account, Cruz wrote, “I’ve lost count of my surgeries at this point. However, I have kept every lesson.” But let’s rewind for a second. At 39, Cruz had hoped to make one last walk to the Octagon. A farewell fight against Rob Font was on the cards for February 22 earlier this year. But two shoulder dislocations in eight months forced him to pull out. It wasn’t just another injury. It was the final straw.

On February 7, the bantamweight legend took to social media and wrote, “I gave everything I had and put it into preparation and training for this fight, focusing on my cardio and my body for the past year. But sometimes, the body just doesn’t cooperate.”

Still, retirement doesn’t mean retreat. In his post-surgery update, Cruz shared, “Grateful for the materials and people around to learn through the process again. I plan to have this shoulder back to its full strength and range of motion at the perfect time.”

It’s not about a comeback anymore, it’s about healing on his own terms. And the MMA world took notice with fighters flooding the comment section to show their support. Featherweight contender Lerone Murphy dropped a simple but heartfelt, “Speedy recovery ggg.” Julianna Miller, a product of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, added, “Prayers for speedy recovery!!! Thank goodness there’s the best ever at the PI!!!” Meanwhile, Santiago Ponzinibbio chimed in with, “Good recovery.”

The support wasn’t just polite; it was personal. These fighters know exactly what it means to be broken and to rebuild. They’ve watched Dominick Cruz, not just as a champion, but as a symbol of perseverance. After all, this is the man who missed his prime years due to torn ACLs, only to return and reclaim his title. Twice!

In fact, he wasn’t just a fighter. He was a tactician, a trailblazer. Long before footwork became fashionable in the MMA world, Dominick Cruz made it his signature. He danced while others brawled. His movement, his rhythm, it was all calculated. And while fighters today switch stances and feint with flair, it was Cruz who lit that path years ago. But what made him so special? What made him return from injuries that other fighters would have never come back from? According to his coach, there’s a mental gear in Cruz that few others can tap into!

Dominick Cruz’s coach shares an overlooked aspect that made him special

While fans remember the angles, the footwork, and the pace, it was Dominick Cruz’s resilience that defined him. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, he found a way to fight again, each time the world assumed he was finished. For his coach, Eric Del Fierro, that can only be attributed to one thing. In a recent conversation with MMA Junkie, he explained, “I think Dominick’s biggest strength has always been his mindset. He’s never let the naysayers or the crowd influence who shows up to fight.”

That mental toughness helped him outlast doubt and drown out the noise. In a sport where whispers become headlines, Cruz kept his inner compass steady. The result? Fierro further shared, “I think his mindset was he was able to overcome all those injuries and get through it and still show up to fight and still win and be at the top of the game for so many years.”

Even after torn ligaments, shattered timelines, and career-threatening setbacks, he kept returning. And not just to compete, he came back to win. That’s not just physical grit. That’s impenetrable mental armor. While the Octagon may no longer echo with his steps, the blueprint he left behind will guide generations to come. What’s your favorite Dominick Cruz moment from his journey from the WEC to the UFC? Let us know in the comments below!