Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has officially announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, marking the end of an illustrious 25-year career. The 39-year-old American fighter, known for his exceptional footwork and strategic prowess, made the decision following two shoulder dislocations within eight months.

Cruz, who was scheduled to face Rob Font in what would have been his final bout, had to withdraw due to injury. In an emotional Instagram post, Cruz expressed his gratitude to the UFC and his fans for their unwavering support throughout his journey.

"To the fans worldwide, I have poured every ounce of myself into this sport for the last 25 years. I was really hopeful for one final fight but unfortunately, two shoulder dislocations in eight months calls an end to this guy's career," Cruz wrote.

Cruz's career highlights include winning the inaugural UFC bantamweight title in 2010 by defeating Scott Jorgensen. He successfully defended the belt twice before injuries forced him to vacate the title. In 2016, Cruz reclaimed the title from TJ Dillashaw and defended it once more against Urijah Faber before losing to Cody Garbrandt.

Throughout his career, Cruz amassed an impressive record of 24 wins out of 28 fights. Beyond his fighting career, Cruz has also made significant contributions as part of the UFC broadcast team, sharing his insights and expertise with fans worldwide.

In his farewell message, Cruz reflected on the impact of the UFC and the broader MMA community:

"The UFC broke barriers to set the stage not just for us as fighters. Also for every MMA sports organisation that followed them across the bridge created throughout politics in order to allow our sport to take place in the United States and now the world."

Cruz's retirement marks the end of an era for one of the most influential figures in bantamweight history. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of fighters.

Career Highlights:

• 2010: Won the inaugural UFC bantamweight title by defeating Scott Jorgensen.
• 2016: Reclaimed the title from TJ Dillashaw.
• Defenses: Successfully defended the title three times.
• Record: 24 wins out of 28 fights.

Legacy:

Dominick Cruz's impact on MMA extends beyond his in-ring achievements. His innovative fighting style and dedication to the sport have left an indelible mark on the bantamweight division and the sport as a whole.