‘People Calling Me Doesn’t Affect Me’- Dominick Cruz Responds to Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera’s Recent Comments

Posted on by Matt James

Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz spoke to Ariel Helwani on ‘The MMA Hour’ and commented on recent comments made by divisional contender Marlon Vera. ‘Chito’ Vera admonished Cruz for refusing to fight him in the past, when the Ecuadorian fighter was ranked below Dominick Cruz.

However, the tables have since turned and Marlon Vera has shot up in the rankings over names like Cruz after he defeated Rob Font. Cruz found Marlon Vera’s behavior somewhat hypocritical since he was now doing the same thing he had accused Cruz of doing in the past.

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However, Cruz would also go on to say that he was simply focused on the dates of the fight and that potential opponents really don’t matter.

“I’m sorry that people calling me doesn’t affect me. Like I said, I focus on dates. I don’t say no to fights – I don’t know where he’s getting this idea that I do. I say no to dates. Opponents don’t really matter, because you’re going to have to fight everybody to get to [a] championship anyways.”

“What’s funny is I did hear him saying he wants somebody in the top-five or top-four, so why would he ask for those [opponents with those rankings] if it didn’t matter. If moving up the ladder didn’t matter, then why would you ask for somebody above you, not underneath you in the division, like he’s done.”

“Well, it’s the same reason I have, the same reason the rest of us all have: We’re all fighting in the same bracket to be champion. So yeah, I’m not opposed to it. He’s ranked above me now, too. So sure. Let’s get the date.” [h/t mmafighting.com]

Marlon Vera is ranked number 5 while Dominick Cruz sits at the 8th position in the UFC’s official rankings. Given their proximity, it’s very possible that the UFC could look to make this booking, especially since both men have spoken about the other in the media.

However, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera has his sights set on a world championship and it’s unlikely he’ll be willing to take a step back in the rankings.