Overview
- Cruz said on The Casuals MMA podcast that tendinitis in both feet and a torn labrum left him physically compromised before UFC 207.
- He detailed a camp without jump rope or barefoot work, daily Epsom salt soaks, and both ankles taped on fight night to manage pain.
- Cruz explained he accepted the bout because Ronda Rousey’s presence on the card increased pay‑per‑view stakes after prior PPV points were lost when he withdrew from a planned Urijah Faber fight.
- Garbrandt won the December 2016 title fight by unanimous decision and dropped Cruz twice during the five rounds.
- Cruz said circumstances change in rematches and noted, as reported by Bloody Elbow, that Garbrandt has gone 3–7 since winning the title.