Cruz Certain Faber Rematch Will Happen Eventually

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UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has lost only one fight.

In March 2007, Urijah Faber submitted him in a 145-pound contest. Now that Faber has dropped to 135, where Cruz is king, Cruz is sure he’ll get a chance for revenge.

“It’s going to be a guarantee that me and Faber are going to end up fighting,” Cruz said during a recent “Savage Dog Show” interview on the Sherdog Radio Network. “Because I want to fight the best guys in the division, and for sure he’s one of the best guys in the division. You can’t take away the things that he’s done in the sport. You can’t take away the things that he’s done at the weight class above.”

On Wednesday, however, it was reported that Faber’s next bout will be in March against fellow bantamweight contender Eddie Wineland.

“[Faber] is, in my opinion, between him and Wineland, [they] are for sure the two top contenders,” Cruz said. “I don’t know when I’m going to get who or what’s going to happen. All I know is I’ll be ready to fight when it’s time to fight.”

Cruz believes plenty has changed since his first encounter with Faber. In particular, he said he’s honed the style that’s made him a champion.

“Everything’s developed everywhere, as have things for Urijah,” Cruz said. “I’ve noticed [his boxing] has gotten better. There’s little things here and there, but I’m confident that the things I’ve progressed in are going to continue and I’m going to come out looking like a different fighter, a better fighter every single fight. I feel like there’s not much else that Urijah can do to improve his game. He’s fought the way he’s fought for a long time, and I feel like that’s what’s going to be the difference maker.”

Cruz has won eight straight since losing to Faber. Two of those victories came at the expense of Joseph Benavidez, a friend and training partner of Faber’s.

“Who knows why the guy dislikes me so much? I would say that I don’t hate the guy, but I definitely don’t like him much more than he likes me,” Cruz said. “ ‘Hate’ is a strong word, but it is what it is. We’re fighting for the top position and he calls himself an alpha male. I’m up there beating up a lot of his teammates, so I’m sure he’s not too happy with that.”

A former WEC 145-pound champion, Faber was impressive in November when he dropped to 135 and choked out former title challenger Takeya Mizugaki. Cruz expects the weight class to strengthen as it moves into the UFC and more featherweights like Faber take a crack at 135.

“The guys are going to get bigger, but that’s something I anticipated,” Cruz said. “I cut from [145] myself. It’s not an easy cut for me to get to [135], and I’m 100-percent positive that there’s nobody that’s going to be bigger or heavier than me that’s cutting a lot more than me. I’m cutting a limit -- I know I couldn’t cut more than I’m cutting. So you can’t get too much bigger. I’m not worried about that. It comes down to skill set, style matchups and listening to the game plan every fight I have, and I will come out on top every time.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 1:30:24) with Cruz, who also discussed his hand injury.