Cruz prefers to fight from the outside. He will fient to off set. Set traps. He's always doing work, over loading an opponents sensory, and he's extremely patient. He's very intelligent and as tough as they come.
When they fought, one of the biggest things TJ had trouble with was getting Cruz to bite on anything and or getting Cruz to step in and box
Cruz was simply working his game from outside
It forced TJ to to have to go on the lead against Cruz to get anything done
And Cruz simply either stepped off and evaded, countered, or level changed into TDs or TD attempts
And another thing is that it's Cruz's game to misdirect to set up takedowns
Cruz will persue TDs against TJ. And even if he doesnt get them, it's another thing to get TJ to think about
Cruz will fake the shot and strike up top too
Cruz brings more dimensions into the fight against TJ then Cody did against TJ.
In the same way TJ is a bad matchup for Cody, Cruz really is a bad matchup for TJ.
The same way Cody needed to have the right gameplan to beat TJ, TJ needs to have the right gameplan himself to beat Cruz.
Cruz/Cody/TJ are the greatest love triangle in MMA lol
But there are things where you can look at that fight, and see what successes TJ had that he could potentially follow up on
Leg kicks
TJ can leg kick Cruz, and then when Cruz is off balance from kicks, rush/pursue with punches and combinations I.e off balancing an opponent and striking when off balance
Also if he wants to beat Cruz he has to find ways to get Cruz to lead (Which is a difficult task based on his style and the fact that Cruz knows everything TJ is trying to do)
Cody willingly leading and stepping into boxing range with TJ was already giving TJ half the battle
Cruz is too patient and too defensively minded for TJ.
And even if TJ hurts Cruz, you know Cruz will stay composed, and look to be making the necessary adjustments to come out on top.
Cruz isn't a hothead
Regardless, Cruz/Cody/TJ are all utterly amazing, and we are in such awesome awesome times to be able to see them competing vs each other in their primes
I would actually love to see TJ vs Cruz 2
IF TJ beats Cruz, TJ is the undisputed GOAT of 135lb without question
When they fought, one of the biggest things TJ had trouble with was getting Cruz to bite on anything and or getting Cruz to step in and box
Cruz was simply working his game from outside
It forced TJ to to have to go on the lead against Cruz to get anything done
And Cruz simply either stepped off and evaded, countered, or level changed into TDs or TD attempts
And another thing is that it's Cruz's game to misdirect to set up takedowns
Cruz will persue TDs against TJ. And even if he doesnt get them, it's another thing to get TJ to think about
Cruz will fake the shot and strike up top too
Cruz brings more dimensions into the fight against TJ then Cody did against TJ.
In the same way TJ is a bad matchup for Cody, Cruz really is a bad matchup for TJ.
The same way Cody needed to have the right gameplan to beat TJ, TJ needs to have the right gameplan himself to beat Cruz.
Cruz/Cody/TJ are the greatest love triangle in MMA lol
But there are things where you can look at that fight, and see what successes TJ had that he could potentially follow up on
Leg kicks
TJ can leg kick Cruz, and then when Cruz is off balance from kicks, rush/pursue with punches and combinations I.e off balancing an opponent and striking when off balance
Also if he wants to beat Cruz he has to find ways to get Cruz to lead (Which is a difficult task based on his style and the fact that Cruz knows everything TJ is trying to do)
Cody willingly leading and stepping into boxing range with TJ was already giving TJ half the battle
Cruz is too patient and too defensively minded for TJ.
And even if TJ hurts Cruz, you know Cruz will stay composed, and look to be making the necessary adjustments to come out on top.
Cruz isn't a hothead
Regardless, Cruz/Cody/TJ are all utterly amazing, and we are in such awesome awesome times to be able to see them competing vs each other in their primes
I would actually love to see TJ vs Cruz 2
IF TJ beats Cruz, TJ is the undisputed GOAT of 135lb without question