Travis Barker: Dominick Cruz Beat The S--- Out of Me In Training A Couple of Times

Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker is a huge MMA fan who is often spotted in the crowd at Ultimate Fighting Championship events. As it turns out, he has firsthand experience with some of the athletes he watches in the cage.

Barker was a guest on a recent episode The Joe Rogan Podcast and told Rogan about the times he got to train with some high-level fighters including longtime UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz.

Barker said he was in awe of Cruz’s abilities and how quick he was and was no match for the former bantamweight champ when they sparred together (via MMA Mania):

“He beat the shit out of me a couple of times,” Barker said. “We used to sponsor him a little bit when they didn’t have Reebok gear and he would come down and train. It was so difficult. He’d try to sleep me, like try to knock me out. He’s so quick, like with footwork, and then I’m wrestled to the ground and that’s a wrap, every time. He’s so talented.”

Unfortunately for Cruz, he is again facing another extended spell on the sidelines after recovering from shoulder surgery. The 33-year-old has had a horrid run of injuries and hasn’t fought inside the Octagon since losing via unanimous decision to Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207 in December 2016.