The Blueprint to defeating Cruz?

[John Cena]

It seems like everyone's got a game plan till they're in the octagon with Cruz?

How does a fighter come up with the perfect game plan to defeating a guy that's so elusive with high fight IQ?

Fabre thought heavy pressure was gonna work and look how that played out.

Rogan made a good point in saying how effective TJ's leg kicks were and how he should have utilized them more.

Is leg kicks really the answer to defeating Cruz?

Does anyone have a shot? TJ? No love?

 

[Rational Poster]

You need to get that guy on his ass and make him hurt.

His movement and reflexes on the feet are too much for most.

 

[own1997]

He's a tough puzzle for anybody to solve. But, we have seen some very close decisions e.g. the Dillashaw fight. He has tendencies like all fighters do and leg kicks certainly could be a weapon against him. Would love to see him fight Aldo at some point, I think that would be some chess match.

 

[John Cena]

You need to get that guy on his ass and make him hurt.

His movement and reflexes on the feet are too much for most.

That's easier said than done. No ones touching him and when they do, Cruz moves with the punch

 

[MMACroatia]

Cruz and Demetrious are the best and smartest fighters,so DJ has the skills to do it but lacks size,cant catch a break with Cruz,something's always missing :d

 

[phunky]

I love you monster

 

[Rational Poster]

That's easier said than done. No ones touching him and when they do, Cruz moves with the punch

I don't think there are good enough grapplers at BW to do it.

Maybe Caraway or Assuncao

 

[MechMA]

TJ landed some nasty shots in their last fight...
A lil more of that

Honestly, I think someone with absolutely bullshit power ala lineker attacking the body will be the end of Cruz.

 

[sirmorbach]

He's a genius and, at least now, nobody knows how to defeat him.

 

[mjfan23]

Rogans love for leg kicks is never ending

 

[Drake]

You have to cut him off & pressure him. Problem with that is you give him counters & momentum for takedowns. That's the best gameplan i've thought of & even then it would be pretty difficult to execute due to his speed. Dom is like a puzzle with a million pieces! About impossible to solve.

 

[Fullmount Triangle]

there is no blueprint. none.

 

[Bartinho]

There is no blueprint

 

[Mixed]

Leg kicks and body shots. Headhunting on a guy who moves as much as Cruz does is futile.

 

[lukeuidswords]

obleek kicks

 

[Vegesus44]

Throw shots that are just wild guesses in random directions, if he gets it wrong he will walk into the shot.
That is the only way I see anyone really hurting him.
Otherwise, start taking a red pill a day.

 

[M0tivatedBJPenn]

i understand that people are saying that Faber should have utilized kicks more, and I think that's exactly the reason why Cruz spammed those takedowns on the 1st, to make Faber hesitate on throwing kicks. I read somewhere that he was surprised Cruz wrestled him a lot. I was kind of surprised too, because usually Cruz likes to get in his rhythm first. He looked pretty aggressive against Faber. in short Cruz knows he struggled against TJ's kicks and he also made some adjustments. Cruz also looked like he was in better shape compared to the TJ fight.

and no love has no fucking chance. TJ does though

 

[Blayt7hh]

TJ could beat him. That fight was as close as they come

 

[FimbulFightPicks]

Trick him. Cruz likes doing fancy moves and going from side to side. Feinting would be very useful. If you can predict or "force" him to go to the left by throwing feint hooks, and then having a nasty leg kick ready that he´ll jump right into, that could potentially work. You gotta be able to use his own game towards him. Other than that leg kicks all day long, so lets hope cruz doesnt skip leg day.

 

[Gavster]

Interesting question. I was expecting Barao to lose to another big hitter but he got owned by a fast striker in TJ.

I see someone being able to time Cruz turning his back and ducking his head when he swings in range.
I'd also like to see how body shots go against Cruz when he comes in.
After his surgeries, collecting his leg with kicks when he's moving laterally would be a good plan.