Overview of Dominick Cruz & The Joe Rogan Text
This episode of All Things Comedy features former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz in a freewheeling conversation with hosts (Bobby Lee, Kat, Jaime and others). The chat moves between playful improv, fight-insider stories, reflections on retirement and coaching, comparisons between fighting and comedy, candid personal disclosures, and a live attempt to text Joe Rogan for UFC tickets. The tone is loose, comedic, occasionally transgressive, and often affectionate — a mix of roast-style banter and substantive fighter insights.
Key topics discussed
- Dominick Cruz’s post-fighting life: retirement, commentary, podcasting, coaching ambitions.
- Cruz’s fighting style: movement, distance control, intellect in the cage ("I can't touch you, I touch you").
- Fighter relationships and rivalries: TJ Dillashaw (style theft jabs), Michael Bisping anecdotes, Jon Jones, Wonderboy (Stephen Thompson), Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.
- Pay and promotion dynamics: parallels between UFC fighters/promoters and comedians/headliners/promoters; negotiation, stage time vs. money.
- Women in combat sports: growth of women’s MMA and women’s wrestling, rising talent (e.g., Valentina Shevchenko, Rose Namajunas) and why it’s compelling.
- Trauma and motivation: how childhood hardship and trauma (both hosts/guests share personal histories) feed into risk-taking, drive, and the “underdog” mentality.
- Comedy & improv segments: playful character improv, mock dating scenarios, and a recurring bit about who’s “hot” and who wins the improv.
- Live moment: composing and sending a (somewhat joking) text to Joe Rogan requesting UFC 324 tickets; they take a selfie with Cruz and send the message on-air.
- Sponsorship reads: Huel (promo code TigerBelly20) and HIMSS / HIMS hair treatment ad reads integrated into the episode.
Main takeaways
- Dominick Cruz is transitioning from elite competition to media, coaching, and podcasting; he enjoys giving back and mentoring younger fighters.
- His fighting success was built on intelligence, timing, and movement — outsmarting physically superior opponents.
- There’s sympathy for fighters’ compensation concerns; hosts draw analogies to stand-up hierarchy (headliner vs opener) to explain pay structures.
- Women’s combat sports are rapidly maturing and delivering exciting matchups and athleticism — a trend Cruz and hosts celebrate.
- The show blends real insight with irreverent comedy; personal disclosures (trauma, abuse, addiction in family) surface amid joking, revealing how adversity shaped participants.
Notable quotes & soundbites
- Dominick on his motto: “Rip open, shred.” (playful, in-broad-jest line)
- On his style: “You don’t touch me, I touch you.” — a concise summary of Cruz’s evasive approach.
- On fighters’ finances / promoter relationships: conversation about stage/time versus money — parallels to comedians negotiating gigs.
- On underdogs and rooting interest: hosts repeatedly say they root for the underdog, linking personal hardship to empathy and fandom.
Memorable segments
- Improv dating/character bit: Hosts (and Cruz) invent characters — comedic, edgy, often bawdy.
- Roast of/banter about other fighters: Jabs at TJ Dillashaw (style theft), Michael Bisping (temper and past injury), and praise for fighters like Jon Jones and Stephen Thompson.
- Practical fight talk: Jon Jones’ knee-stomps, Wonderboy’s kicks, Aldo’s leg-kick damage — technical observations for fans.
- Joe Rogan text: On-air composition and sending of a message asking Rogan for UFC 324 tickets — playful attempt at insider access.
Guests & roles
- Dominick Cruz — guest, former UFC champion, commentator, podcaster and coach.
- Hosts — Bobby Lee (primary conversationalist), Kat, Jaime, Alex and others providing banter, improv, and negotiation roleplay.
- Producers/podcast team — involved in banter and host support during negotiation bits.
Sponsors & promotions mentioned
- Huel — high-protein starter kit; promo code TigerBelly20 (Huel.com/TigerBelly20) — RTD and powder product features.
- HIMSS / HIMS — online hair-loss and telehealth services (hims.com/belly referenced).
- Cruz plugs: his podcast “Love and War with Dominick Cruz” and his move into commentary/coaching.
Tone, format & audience
- Tone: irreverent, casual, and often crude — typical of long-form comedy podcasting. Occasional sensitive topics are handled in a mix of candor and humor.
- Format: conversational interview with improv sketches, sponsor reads, and on-air antics (the Joe Rogan text).
- Best for: MMA fans who enjoy behind-the-scenes fighter perspective, listeners who like raw, comedic long-form episodes, and fans of Dominick Cruz.
Action items / where to follow
- Listen to Dominick Cruz’s podcast: “Love and War with Dominick Cruz.”
- If interested in Huel (protein/meal replacements): Huel.com/TigerBelly20 for 20% off (new customers).
- For online hair-loss care: hims.com/belly (free online visit).
- Watch for UFC 324 (discussed during the episode) and for updates on whether the hosts get tickets via Joe Rogan.
Final note
The episode mixes substantive MMA insight — strategy, training, and fighter psychology — with unpredictable comedy and personal vulnerability. It’s valuable for fans wanting a candid look at a top fighter’s transition out of active competition, while also serving as a loose, laugh-heavy conversation typical of All Things Comedy.