Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has revealed a remarkable gift he once received from UFC President Dana White – a Nissan GT-R worth around $125,000.

Cruz recounted the story on a recent podcast appearance alongside former flyweight king Demetrious Johnson.

He explained that the luxury sports car was offered as an incentive for stepping in to fight Johnson on short notice back in 2011, fresh off his clash with Urijah Faber:

I remember I fought you and Dana gave me a GT-R for that fight.

I had to fight you on one month’s notice after fighting Urijah Faber back to back, and they’re like: “All right, we’ll give you a GT-R if you do this.”

Johnson’s reaction was one of disbelief:

I never got nothing.

For Cruz, the extravagant gift was overwhelming at the time.

The car itself was more money than I had anywhere near my account my entire life.
I’m like, do I sell it? There’s a lot of money, right? Is it stupid to keep this?

The irony of the situation made the story even more memorable.

Cruz was living in a modest studio apartment.
Suddenly, he found himself parking a six-figure supercar outside.

I’m pulling it up to this one-bedroom studio. I’m in a back house behind somebody’s house. I’m using their laundry machine.

His landlords noticed – and acted quickly. After spotting the flashy new ride, they raised his rent by $100.

Despite the good fortune, Cruz reminded Johnson that their fight was no easy payday:

I couldn’t leave. You [performed wrestling moves on] me four times.

I see the highlight all the time.
I have forgiven you for that.

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