“They’ve matured me as a fighter” - Josue Cruz says recent setbacks have changed him for better
Mexican fighter Josue Cruz is ready to mark his comeback with a victory when ONE Championship returns to the U.S. soil on September 6.
Inside the Ball Arena, Colorado, the promotion run by Chatri Sityodtong will host an action-packed spectacle dubbed as ONE 168: Denver, where Cruz faces Malaysian teenage phenom Johan Ghazali.
There, 'Tuzo' is motivated to push his limits to break his losing streak under the ONE banner, and he knows that a victory will bring him back into the conversation as the only Mexican striker in the world's largest martial arts organization.
Moreover, he told ONE Championship that he has stronger mentality to win after learning the hard lessons in his previous bouts.
Cruz said:
“My mentality is stronger now. Sometimes you think that losses will set you back, but they’ve matured me as a fighter. They’ve made me realize how I need to fight and what I need to change. I’ve made sure to make some changes in both my mental and physical training."
He added:
“Facing Johan is motivating for me, and I’m going to give it my all. Fans haven’t seen the best version of me, and they are going to see a completely different ‘Tuzo’ Cruz.”
Tickets for ONE 168: Denver are still available via Ticketmaster.
Johan Ghazali will not underestimate Josue Cruz when they clash at ONE 168
On the flip side, Josue Cruz's next opponent Johan Ghazali also knows what he's heading into, and the young Malaysian prodigy says he will not underestimate his veteran opponent when they clash on Sept. 6.
Ghazali knows that Cruz will bring his stand-up skills and fighting experience into their fight. The 17-year-old told South China Morning Post that he could not take anything for granted.
'Jojo' said this about Josue Cruz:
"He's 28, he'a a decade older than me. I'm sure he has more experience than me. To underestimate him would be wrong. I don't underestimate anyone."
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for the latest news and updates surrounding ONE 168: Denver as it happens.
Catch the spectacle live in U.S. primetime, available for free to all Amazon Prime Video subscribers in North America.