B/R Exclusive Interview: WEC Champ Dom Cruz Talks Influences, Coaches, Focus

On Wednesday August 18th, WEC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz will enter the cage to defend his title in a rematch with an opponent that very well may have given Cruz the fight of his life.

Joseph Benavidez, an Alpha Male trained protege under Urijah Faber will take his second run at a man who holds the only victory over him in his impressive MMA career.

Cruz and Benavidez gave fight fans one of the greatest fights they will ever see the first time they met in a cage. That fight lasted three gruelling rounds. Now for a title, they could possibly go five.

This fight has all the makings to be a classic, and for the champion it is the most important fight of his life. It is said the first defense of the title is the most difficult test for a champion.

Dominick Cruz is heavily focused and prepared for that challenge. Such was evident when he took a moment to talk to Hurtsbad.com about his inspirations, his coach, and Benavidez.

The two strongest influences on the champ were family and wrestling. Those foundations were the platform for the structure of the champion he has become.

The biggest influence on Cruz was the wisdom of his mother.

“It would be my mom, I know you hear that a lot but she gave me a very good mentality and mind set in life. On everything that I’ve done and do still, she put a good head on my shoulders to keep me humble and keep me smart. She made it so I can always grow into a better and greater person every single day.”

Cruz went on to add, “That’s really what life is all about in my opinion. Not just the things you do, it’s about just trying to be great and do everything in life that you can to be a better person for yourself and the people around you. That’s what my mom has helped me with and I give her all the credit in the world.”

As far as influence through athletics, like many world class fighters Cruz holds a common ground.

“Probably my wrestling base more than anything. When you wrestle it’s as close to a fight as you can get. You get the crap kicked out of you if you lose a wrestling match. It’s not a fun experience.”

Cruz added, “When I was wrestling, I had the wrestling part down. People couldn’t take me down so I can pretty much decide where I want to fight. If I want to keep it standing I keep it standing, if I want to take the guy down, I can take the guy down. I said well, I better start working on everything else around that.”

Dom mentioned the sacrifice necessary to change his life, and how his accomplishments truly reflect taking control of your life.

“One of the biggest things I can say for anyone is if you don't have anything holding you back, don't allow yourself to be comfortable. The biggest thing you can do is force yourself to be uncomfortable so you can learn and grow to be a better person.”

He went on to say, “It took me about three years of non stop work, work, work, work from when I was living on my coach’s floor, then fighting in the WEC, and cutting to 135 after my first loss. Then I was just working my way back up through the rankings, and I did it.”

Dominick did not do it alone. He had the support of a man he works very closely with to maintain his championship form, Eric Del Fierro.

“That's a big reason I am where I am. Just the fact that I put 110 percent of my heart body and soul into this sport helped him click with me better. He coaches the way that I train. He loves this sport so much and doesn't expect anything out of it, he just enjoys what he does so much. It makes it easy for him to come in every day and work with a guy like me.”

Cruz also said, “Because I love what I do so much and I want it so bad, our love and heart for the sport just brings us together. It helps us come up with a game plans and put together a great work ethic and put together a better camp every fight that I have. I think both of us find out a lot about ourselves as we grow our careers.”

Benavidez took Cruz to war last time out. Even though Cruz came out on top he knows what he is in for with the rematch.

“I’m more than prepared for another war. I train, train, and train. I’m 110 percent confident in every aspect of what I have for this fight. I can’t wait to go out and put on a show. People have no idea what they are going to see in that fight. It’s going to be great, don't miss it.”

There are a few angles to this fight regardless of how it plays out. But when the dust settles, Cruz could find himself looking at a rematch with the only man to beat him in Urijah Faber. The California Kid just so happens to be a dear friend and training partner of Benavidez so that could add fuel the fire.

But don't ask Cruz about a potential rematch with Faber. His eye is on the prize, retaining his belt.

“I’ll be honest, people ask that question every single interview I get. I don't mind answering it outside of camp, but right now my brain doesn’t even think anything, I have nobody on my brain other than Joesph Benavidez. I eat, sleep, drink, I walk in and out of the gym thinking Joseph Benavidez, that's all that's on my mind. Nothing else matters, nobody else matters, just Joseph.”

On Urijah Faber, “Who is that, I have no clue.”

So with his first title defense ever, rematching with a man who helped bring him fight of the night honors, it seems the champ has his head in the right place. Not looking ahead, not looking behind, just preparing for a war he knows is coming.

This fight with Benavidez is the pinnacle of his career, he has played the best hand he can, and now will look to take home the prize, the WEC Bantamweight Strap.

This article originally featured at Hurtsbad.com.