Media Dominick Cruz Footwork Appreciation Thread

[elwani]

Just that simple. Cruz has said he memorizes 7-8 footwork patterns that he repeatedly uses in fights. Let's isolate and appreciate them!

I feel like this is his favorite. Step in forward left with right foot, step out back left with left foot:

(More below and on page 2)

 

[Slatersan]

Hey Dom, nice feet man.

 

[Ideanudge]

I really appreciate Dom bringing this aspect into MMA, it makes the sport so much more richer. Though we never really got to see it against various top competition besides TJ and Cody and nascent MM.

 

[elwani]

I really appreciate Dom bringing this aspect into MMA, it makes the sport so much more richer. Though we never really got to see it against various top competition besides TJ and Cody and nascent MM.

And I would argue the fight against Cody wasn't the best example of his footwork as he was already struggling with plantar fasciitis then, which was plain to see by how much his feet were wrapped up.

 

[Frank McEdgar]

 

[elwani]

Here's another pattern.

Shifting backwards while ducking in the direction you're shifting.

 

[elwani]

Duck forward left, weave or shift out right.

 

[gondo]

Great footwork but he’s always stepping away from his arm only punches. It looks like he’s more focused on not getting hit while throwing than he is about landing them.
Im not trying to hate on him I enjoy his fights but he’s figured out the scoring system. That’s pretty much it. Kind of like Bisping for the early part of his career only Dom gets away with it because there’s fewer power hitters with decent speed at 135.

 

[elwani]

Great footwork but he’s always stepping away from his arm only punches. It looks like he’s more focused on not getting hit while throwing than he is about landing them.
Im not trying to hate on him I enjoy his fights but he’s figured out the scoring system. That’s pretty much it. Kind of like Bisping for the early part of his career only Dom gets away with it because there’s fewer power hitters with decent speed at 135.

No hate. He definitely tries to weave his offense into his evasive footwork and does not set up and throw the traditional power shots.

But at the same time don't underestimate this way of fighting. I think you'd be surprised how well it works even against heavyweight power punchers. Cruz has often cited Ali as an inspiration for his footwork. Check out Ali vs Liston I and see similar footwork working against a heavy power puncher.



Also it's not just point fighting. It's a way to wear down and frustrate your opponents until ultimately you can knock them out. Don't forget Cruz is also light, so that may be a big reason he hasn't knocked out many people.

 

[Better Every Day]

 

[gondo]

No hate. He definitely tries to weave his offense into his evasive footwork and does not set up and throw the traditional power shots.

But at the same time don't underestimate this way of fighting. I think you'd be surprised howwell it works even against heavyweight power punchers. Cruz has often cited Ali as an inspiration for his footwork. Check out Ali vs Liston I and you'll see similar footwork working against a heavy power puncher.



Also it's not just point fighting. It's a way to wear down and frustrate your opponents that ultimately lets you beat them.

1 sub, 14 decisions and 7 by tko. Last ko was in 2014 which I’ll admit was an impressive performance after a long layoff and then another wide gap back to 2009. Sorry but it’s point fighting. Always liked Fabers comment about mma being as close to a legal death match as you can get and Dom has never come close to killing anyone. It’s not entirely true but he couldn’t have said it to a more appropriate person.
Again it’s nothing against him it certainly works but it’s hard to be a fan of someone that rarely finishes someone. It’s why I’m not much of a GSP fan anymore. I watch mma for fighters not athletes that game the system.

 

[cevo]

Not a fan. His footwork constantly leaves him off balance and unable to land hard shots, but it's extremely effective when it comes to winning on points.

 

[HunterAcosta]

His footwork was effective but not efficient . Looks Herky jerky and awkward and it’s partially why he’s got knees that are ready to fall off .

 

[suizuri]

Just that simple. Cruz has said he memorizes 7-8 footwork patterns that he repeatedly uses in fights. Let's isolate and appreciate them!

I feel like this is his favorite. Step in forward left with right foot, step out back left with left foot:

Great thread idea and this is an honest question: Can someone please enlighten me on why this is not at risk of running into a straight right from the opponent?

 

[GamebredShango]

how is what u showed an example of great footwork g? Lol. He widens, he almost always over-extends & neutralizes his follow up, he rarely sets. The good takeaway from his lateral game is how much ground he covers, and that almost always comes at the expense of everything else. Good head movement maybe. He’s no Ali.

 

[elwani]

1 sub, 14 decisions and 7 by tko. Last ko was in 2014 which I’ll admit was an impressive performance after a long layoff and then another wide gap back to 2009. Sorry but it’s point fighting. Always liked Fabers comment about mma being as close to a legal death match as you can get and Dom has never come close to killing anyone. It’s not entirely true but he couldn’t have said it to a more appropriate person.
Again it’s nothing against him it certainly works but it’s hard to be a fan of someone that rarely finishes someone. It’s why I’m not much of a GSP fan anymore. I watch mma for fighters not athletes that game the system.

I can accept a definition of "point fighting" as just "gaming the system", which to me means if you took away the rules and points, you would never win in a "real" fight using a "point fighting" method.

But that's exactly why I disagree that this is "point fighting". This is actually a great way to fight for real, especially against larger opponents. It ensures you won't get hit while constantly hitting them. In my own experience (boxing), you actually wear them out pretty quickly the heavier they are.

Again, keep in mind while Cruz hasn't knocked many people out, most fighters at bantamweight don't knock that many people out. It may have more to do with his weight than this style of fighting.

 

[dawzz]

Dom has the best footwork & unique style in mma and its not even close

I had a great thread about this but biased mods seem to have a problem with the bantamweight goat so they deleted and gave me dubs. Nice to see other sherdoggers appreciating the GOAT

 

[dawzz]

1 sub, 14 decisions and 7 by tko. Last ko was in 2014 which I’ll admit was an impressive performance after a long layoff and then another wide gap back to 2009. Sorry but it’s point fighting. Always liked Fabers comment about mma being as close to a legal death match as you can get and Dom has never come close to killing anyone. It’s not entirely true but he couldn’t have said it to a more appropriate person.
Again it’s nothing against him it certainly works but it’s hard to be a fan of someone that rarely finishes someone. It’s why I’m not much of a GSP fan anymore. I watch mma for fighters not athletes that game the system.

Yeah then Dom came close to killing faber in the third fight. It was a pleasure seeing Faber hit the deck like a bitch from a "pillow puncher"

 

[gondo]

Yeah then Dom came close to killing faber in the third fight. It was a pleasure seeing Faber hit the deck like a bitch from a "pillow puncher"

Lol I agree I’ve never been a fan of Faber but that was his 42nd fight and he wasn’t able to take punishment like he used to. It happens to all fighters that have long careers.

 

[elwani]

how is what u showed an example of great footwork g? Lol. He widens, he almost always over-extends & neutralizes his follow up, he rarely sets. The good takeaway from his lateral game is how much ground he covers, and that almost always comes at the expense of everything else. Good head movement maybe. He’s no Ali.

I think you make good points, but keep in mind he may be sacrificing the ability to set for the amount of ground he covers because this is MMA and not boxing. If he shortens his movements and remain longer within range, he will get taken down or kicked. This is at least how I interpret why his movements are so much wider than similar maneuvers boxing.