Dominick Cruz Still Believes He’s The Best 135er In The World

This Saturday at UFC 178, Dominick Cruz will return to the Octagon after a three year long absence to face Takeya Mizugaki.

The bout will serve as the main event of the preliminary card, which airs on Fox Sports 1, and will give Cruz to make his case for why he deserves a shot at the belt that once belonged to him.

He spoke to foxsports.com about the fight, and his return saying:

“I’m still the best bantamweight in the world in my mind, yes. That’s still something I need to go in there and fight. It’s been a long time since I fought. If I had any doubt that I was the best in the world then I shouldn’t be competing. If you don’t think you’re going to be the best, what’s the point?

“I choose to be the best bantamweight on the planet and I’m going to make it happen.”

As far as a potential matchup with current bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw goes, Cruz says that he’s gunning for a title shot:

“I’m gunning for the title. If you’re in this sport and you’re not gunning for the title, you’re in the wrong sport. But I’m just taking one step in front of the other and I’m not skipping any steps. When you start to skip steps you start looking past people.

“Takeya Mizugaki is the next step for me.”

Who do you think will win this matchup on Saturday night?

By Evan Stoumbelis