Cruz: I’m going to beat Garbrandt down til he’s begging me to stop

UFC men’s bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has the most innovative high-level game in mixed martial arts. It means among other things that he is both the champion and the least-hit fighter in the division.

In a sport with growing concerns around chronic traumatic encephalopathy, we should all take notice. However, #1 challenger Cody Garbrandt is not impressed.

“His fighting style is what made me really not like him,” said the undefeated Garbrandt. “I’m a real fighter, I go out and get the finishes. He goes out and skates by on decisions.”

TMZ Sports asked the sharp-tongued Cruz for a response.

“That’s his take on it, and if you hear him, he’s not the most intelligent guy in the world,” replied Cruz. “So there’s two ways to go about this sport. There’s taking the damage, taking the chances, walking into the center, and being willing to take punches in order to give punches. And then there’s me.

“I’m going to put myself in the smallest ratio of taking damage, and that way I can use my brain, and continue to beat you down, round after round, pick you apart, take as minimal amount of damage as I can, while I just beat you up. I’m going to mix it up on you, keep you guessing so much that at the end of it, you’re just going to wish I would put you out of your misery. I’m just going to keep beating you down, tagging you up, and making you look silly, step by step, minute by minute, round by round, until you beg me to stop you.”

Dominick Cruz fights Cody Garbrandt in the co-main event of UFC 207 on December 30, 2016, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.